Trashure series - Special Project
2022
Overview
Material-driven objects that transform plastic waste into new geological narratives.
Services
Conceptual, Object Design
Location
The Netherlands & London
Client
Self initiated
Credits
Studio photography by Anne Wiltenburg Exhibition photography by Ilco Kemmere
Overview
Trashure is a series of objects developed from an ongoing fascination with plastiglomerates, a man-made rock formed by melted plastic and natural debris. The project originated from findings on a Croatian beach and builds on earlier material research exploring the impact of human activity on the Earth’s crust. The series explores the tension between value and waste. Each object, often taking the form of a vase, appears as a natural earth layer at first glance, yet is entirely composed of discarded materials. This duality raises questions about how we define nature and what we consider valuable. The work was created for the Messmerizing exhibition during Dutch Design Week and is currently exhibited at Mint Gallery in London.
The Idea
The pieces are made from waste collected from streets, beaches and urban environments. These fragments are carefully composed and cast in layers using cement and bio resin. Through processes such as grinding, heating and erosion, the surfaces are shaped to mimic geological formations, creating textures that feel both natural and unfamiliar. Trashure reflects on a new reality where plastic has become part of the Earth’s geological system. It highlights how human-made materials are no longer separate from nature, but embedded within it, forming a new layer in the planet’s history.
