Plastic Weave
The plastic weave was inspired by Hotwalls artist Emma Nicol who created a stitched whale out of plastic using an embroidery hoop. I wanted to explore plastic as a medium for interactive weaves as its such a controversial material. I knew this weave would have the potential to raise awareness of the ongoing issues around plastic and explore new innovative ways we can use the material.
For the warp I used coloured waste-fishing line from Anglers ANLRS which takes 600 years to biodegrade. The design for the weave was to create a huge plastic turtle with a woven shell. I asked Emma Nicol and Carrie Swinburne to run workshops in plastic collage and stitching to create the turtle flippers.
Although it rained throughout the event people still wove their plastic strips with an umbrella and carried on creating the turtle flippers under the gazebo’s. With the two gazebo’s together it created a long table and became a banquet of strangers all chatting and creating together.
Artist Simon Whitcomb spent three-hours painting the day’s events upon his vibrant pre-painted orange canvas. Over the course of the afternoon, he continued to capture the creativity unfolding in the workshops - despite the torrential rain.
Participants wrote messages on plastic exam packaging donated from Portsmouth College with poems, quotes, drawings, and their reflections on plastic consumption - including some thoughtful tips.
Materials
Plastic bags - portsmouth college bag waste from exam department
Plastic - sea dog print studio waste
Plastic tubing - Local building work plastic waste
Orange fishing wire - from a garage clear out
Blue rope - Chrissie found on beach
Orange net bags - collected from Alice’s kitchen
Neon fishing line - found on beach by local fisherman
Red fishing line - Anglers ANLRS
Ripped Awning - from Alice’s parents caravan
Artists
Carrie Swinburne - Plastic collage workshop
Emma Nicol - Plastic stitching workshop
Alice Hume - Plastic weaving workshop
Simon Whitcomb - life painting
Incredible photographs by Alex Fountain.
“Weaving plastic, getting tied up and tangled like seaweed coming in on the tide. In the windy moment, noticing my frustration with my fingers but loving the laughter as the wind catches the plastic in it’s erratic grasp. Thank you”
“Community art is always important. Really enjoyed working with others ”
“Thank you for a very ‘wet’ but inspiring afternoon. I get to create different kind of element in this great place. I love being here and seeing what you do with the space...”
“weaving with colours of the sea freely moving with the wind, merging plastics with other plastics creating waves”
“Thanks Alice to organize all of these creative events. I think they bring us together in those days. And also learning new skills to add to my own work and business. Very grateful for spending this time here with you and other open minded and creative souls”
“Portsmouth needs more events like this and cultural activities”
“After an initial struggle to set up my easel in the windy conditions, I went on to enjoy a great days painting. The weave itself created a colourful spectacle of movement and an interesting scene to paint. The public stopped to watch my painting take shape which drew their interest towards the weave activity and workshop. Whilst painting I often recycle plastic packaging to use as a pallet and make impressions on the canvas. In the foreground I have printed shapes using bottle tops and other plastic waste. I watched many people getting involved, creating the plastic weave and becoming engrossed in the process. Great to see so many people working to create art.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the weaving and inspired to write a poem to leave on the plastic weave”
“Bringing people together in this way creates community and connection, spreading joy and facilitating better mental health ”
“This was such a beautiful workshop and experience bringing people together!”
“Thoroughly enjoyed all the different workshops”
“What a joy to be involved in such a project. All my concerns about the weather and other practicalities melted away when we began armed with our glue sticks. So much fun and laughter at the table and collaborative pieces from friends families or complete strangers. I enjoyed it so much I ran an extra one during Portsmouth festivities weekend.
A wonderful vision by Alice Hume has been the Hotwalls glue stick, bringing so many different artists and artistic styles together. I am sure it raised the profile of the Hotwalls studios and truly put it on the map”
“Wonderful welcoming artistic community ”
“I really enjoyed this workshop, the creativity and bringing together of community is really special, especially as there isn’t many free community focused creative workshops within Portsmouth! and also ones that are based outside”
“I massively enjoyed working on this project, having left my studio at the Hotwalls in July last year. I have missed it dearly. You can not beat the sense of unity amongst the studio artists and wider community. It was amazing to be a part of an activity offered to the public for free, after the year we have had, it was nice to see people relaxed and participating in some mindful creativity.”
“hundreds of people trying imperfectly is better than one person doing perfectly”
“Art heals and brings people together ”
“I’m thinking of making a woven screen to go in my garden with the skills I learned today”
“Great to be out and part of a community (despite the rain) will do this again”
“Patiently explained to all nationalities”
“amazing, really happy to be with my community people doing this awesome project. Love to do more again. Thank you. Great creativity”
“Great to know more options of creativity and sustainability”
“Being creative as an adult is less common. Need time to think and lovely on a saturday to do that. Love the eco side too. Thank you”
“Really lovely community event. Kids loved it”
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