RETHINK – Art from trash

Inspiration for Bianca’s artworks is her exploration of collections at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, as well as the historical artefacts at the Muong Museum.

The exhibition brings into focus discussion around how we use plastics in our everyday life, and hopes to spark conversation around environmental shifts within this issue. Exhibited artworks explore the materiality of plastic itself, its likeness to fabric and paper, but also bring a positive, beautiful perspective on what would have been trash. Main pieces of the exhibition also speak to our current fast fashion industry, which contributes to pollution across the world.

Inspiration for Bianca’s artworks is her exploration of collections at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, as well as the historical artefacts at the Muong Museum. 

“There is a lot of great possibility in connecting with the traditional practices of the ethnic tribes in Vietnam, and the First Nation People in Australia, who lived far more sustainably with the land. I think we have so much to learn from every culture, and with a collective knowledge we can help solve this issue.” Bianca said in her statement.

Bianca in a dress made from used plastic bags

In the lead up to this exhibition, Bianca conducted a painting and embroidering on plastic workshop with pupils from a range of schools in Hanoi. They were also asked to take their own photos to document plastics in their everyday life. The workshop is expected to make our young citizens  rethink the way they use plastic products and be more creative in re-using them.

Ms Duong Thi Hang, Vice Director of the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, shared at the opening: “Co-organising the workshop and exhibition is our museum’s social responsibility. From the workshop we will develop an education program in which we help students learn about social issues through interactive and experimental activities.”

Students create their own works at the exhibition

“The exhibition may challenge your definition of an art exhibition as it uses contemporary expression to reflect social issues. Through the exhibition organisers being open to displaying the artworks made by pupils, this brings art closer to daily life. It proves that everyone is able to be creative, they have their own way to protect the environment, and we treasure all of their effort.” said Ms Stacey Nation, Counsellor of the Australian Embassy.

Bianca is also one of more than 1,500 New Colombo Plan students who will have studied in Vietnam by the end of 2018. Her work is among many other activities that NCP students have done with different Vietnamese communities, contributing and enhancing people-to-people links between our two countries and the development of Vietnam.”

Several art works from "trash"