MST-Department of Fine Art and Design

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Browsing MST-Department of Fine Art and Design by Subject "Art Material"

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    Exploration of Coloured Plastic as an Art Material in Collage
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Esenerwa, Mudimbwa Patrick; Mwaura Ndekere
    Upcoming artists in Nairobi face a difficult time in practicing and exploring new techniques that enhance their artistic skills. The cost of art materials is well outside their means, their inspiration is often misunderstood, and sources of social support are limited. In Nairobi, plastic litter is a major environmental and public health problem. The Kenyan Government (2017) banned all plastic bags used as secondary packages regardless of their thickness or color with effect from the 28th August 2017. While this is being implemented, there continues to be plastic usage in the city. This being the case recycling plastic is a good alternative for reducing harm to the environment. As the use of plastics increased over the years, the build-up of used ones is evident throughout the capital city and in spite of the ban, it has continued. There is a need for plastics re-use and recycling. Artists in Nairobi are recycling and using a number of different types of materials. However, the extent of plastic usage is still limited. In recognizing the amount of plastic available and the colors they would offer in a painting composition, this research aimed at exploring the gap in the usage of this artistic material in collage. Using a 4 scale Likert scale the collected samples of techniques and styles from artists in Nairobi appeared to show that they employed a relatively high use of Drawing, Painting and Multimedia Crafts techniques in their art work. Collage and Sculpture techniques were used at a relatively moderate level. Other techniques like pottery and weaving were used at a relatively low level. The Likert scale findings also showed that Nairobi artists employ a relatively high use of charcoal, mixed media, oil, paper, cotton, ink, acrylic/ plastic in their work. Wood is used at a relatively moderate level. Metal, glass and clay are used at a relatively low level. This research found out that 11 percent of the artists mostly explore the use of recycled plastics in their compositions, 25 percent recycle plastics and other materials in their work, while the last 53 percent may experiment the use of coloured plastics. The types of coloured plastics found appeared to show that PETE, HDPE and LDPE were mostly found in the area of the study. PVC plastic appeared to be relatively found while PS, PP and MISC plastic maybe found in the area of study. By creating environmental themed collage compositions using found coloured plastics this research therefore recommends the exploration of coloured plastic as an artistic medium and should be encouraged as it creates a new form of art and will help artists in accessing alternative materials for their compositions as well as help in cleaning the environment.