Chinese artist transforms plastic waste into powerful beachside installations
Artist Fu Junsheng highlights the environmental impact of rapid development and the enduring nature of plastic pollution.
Chinese artist Fu Junsheng transforms plastic waste washed ashore on the Miaodao islands into striking art installations. Photo: AFPAs clouds gather over a beach in China’s Miaodao islands, artist Fu Junsheng picks his way through piles of plastic waste washed up along the shoreline, looking for inspiration.
China is the world’s largest plastic producer, and the islands sit in the cross-stream of several highly developed eastern peninsulas. Eight years ago, Fu decided to make plastic waste both his artistic message and medium.
“Our generation has witnessed rapid societal development. In the process, we’ve sometimes neglected nature and, at times, even ignored it altogether,” the 36-year-old said.
One of his most striking installations features nearly 900 pairs of flip-flops displayed in front of his seascape oil paintings.
The oldest item Fu has collected is an instant noodle packet from 1993.