“Mbongeni Buthelezi collects plastic bags from the streetsaround his Johannesburg studio and melts them to create a unique kind of art – he calls it “plastic fantastic”.”
Jacqui,
You’re right, endlessly creative. It’s inherent I believe. We have the capacity and as Shari says, the vision, to do it in millions of different ways.
Buthelezi is amazingly talented, the word “amazingly” being key. What he does is unique, but it’s his vision that astounds. The black and white portraits are just as powerful as those in color. His work reminds me of Chuck Close – up close, the painting is a bunch of splashes and lines, you have to pull back to see the image. I worry about his technique however. I think that the process of melting plastic releases toxins, and that’s dangerous, of course. Would love to see the art in person.
Shari B-P,
You are right – his vision is astounding AND I would worry about the plastic fumes too. However, MAYBE it’s the fumes that give him his vision . . .
P.S. Yes! Chuck Close – couldn’t remember his name thanks.
Chuck,
I’ve never looked at a plastic bag the same way since the time I was cutting them into strips and using the strips to knit!! Buthelezi takes it a bit further than knitting!
CURIOUS to the MAX 
WOW! Will make me appreciative of the possibilities when the grocery bagger asks “paper or plastic”?
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Rick,
In Los Angeles county plastic bags are banned! Artists have to come to Orange County for their supplies.
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Man is endlessly creative. Amazing.
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Jacqui,
You’re right, endlessly creative. It’s inherent I believe. We have the capacity and as Shari says, the vision, to do it in millions of different ways.
LikeLike
Buthelezi is amazingly talented, the word “amazingly” being key. What he does is unique, but it’s his vision that astounds. The black and white portraits are just as powerful as those in color. His work reminds me of Chuck Close – up close, the painting is a bunch of splashes and lines, you have to pull back to see the image. I worry about his technique however. I think that the process of melting plastic releases toxins, and that’s dangerous, of course. Would love to see the art in person.
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Shari B-P,
You are right – his vision is astounding AND I would worry about the plastic fumes too. However, MAYBE it’s the fumes that give him his vision . . .
P.S. Yes! Chuck Close – couldn’t remember his name thanks.
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Now that is amazing! Inspiration is everywhere, even in the trash. I’ll never look at a plastic bag without thinking of this artist.
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Chuck,
I’ve never looked at a plastic bag the same way since the time I was cutting them into strips and using the strips to knit!! Buthelezi takes it a bit further than knitting!
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