Turning black trash bags into art
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolia News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 28, 2009 00:00
OSMANİYE - A repairman living in the Kadirli district of the Black Sea city of Osmaniye has been making sculptures using black plastic waste bags for the past 16 years.
Abdulkadir Karaarslan, 48, said there was no other sculptor using the same method, adding that he also helps the environment by using plastic bags that would otherwise take thousands of years to decompose naturally.
"I started painting in primary school," he said. "My teacher discovered my talent for art. I prepared posters for the school. I was also writing stories. I am interested in all branches of art.
I have been making sculptures using black plastic bags for 16 years since I returned from my military service," he said.
Karaarslan said he started producing amulets and key holders and sometime later sculptures. "I don’t color sculptures because then they become like decorations and lose their artistic value.
Metal and PVC strips used for sculptures
I first prepare skeletons of sculptures using metal. I cover these skeletons with long plastic strips, which are used in PVC windows.
And I work on the details and dress them. I also use glue to make them stronger.
In this way they seem natural," he said. Karaarslan received his first order from the Kadirli Education and Culture Foundation, and he made a sculpture of Ince Memed, a popular folk hero. He said his only wish was to open his own studio.
"I want to perform my art by making bigger sculptures. I have nearly 300 works, including the sculptures of prominent Turkish figures like businessmen Sakıp Sabancı, Vehbi Koç and former president Süleyman Demirel."
Karaarslan said Ahmet Tabur, the provincial culture and tourism director, told him that he had sent a file about his work to the Culture and Tourism Ministry and that he would be given support.
"I started painting in primary school," he said. "My teacher discovered my talent for art. I prepared posters for the school. I was also writing stories. I am interested in all branches of art.
I have been making sculptures using black plastic bags for 16 years since I returned from my military service," he said.
Karaarslan said he started producing amulets and key holders and sometime later sculptures. "I don’t color sculptures because then they become like decorations and lose their artistic value.
Metal and PVC strips used for sculptures
I first prepare skeletons of sculptures using metal. I cover these skeletons with long plastic strips, which are used in PVC windows.
And I work on the details and dress them. I also use glue to make them stronger.
In this way they seem natural," he said. Karaarslan received his first order from the Kadirli Education and Culture Foundation, and he made a sculpture of Ince Memed, a popular folk hero. He said his only wish was to open his own studio.
"I want to perform my art by making bigger sculptures. I have nearly 300 works, including the sculptures of prominent Turkish figures like businessmen Sakıp Sabancı, Vehbi Koç and former president Süleyman Demirel."
Karaarslan said Ahmet Tabur, the provincial culture and tourism director, told him that he had sent a file about his work to the Culture and Tourism Ministry and that he would be given support.