Artist celebrates Clean Up Australia Day

In celebration of Clean Up Australia Day 2014 (2 March), a Darwin environmental artist will exhibit a work of art in Sydney constructed from beach litter.

The artwork, commissioned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for display at its six-star rated eco-friendly Sydney head office, will be featured in an exhibition starting this week.

Charles Darwin University Visual Arts Lecturer and postgraduate student John Dahlsen said aside from creating artistic value, using recycled materials in his art added an element of social responsibility.

“Through environmental art I strive to improve our relationship with nature,” Mr Dahlsen said.

“Whether it examines our natural environment or adds cultural value to a landscape, environmental art is used to encourage people to appreciate everything and anything natural.”

Comprising 12 sculptures made from recycled Styrofoam, the materials for the piece, entitled “White Foam Totems”, were collected by Mr Dahlsen and Commonwealth Bank staff volunteers during the 2011 Clean Up Australia Day rubbish collection in Sydney.

This year marks 25 years since Ian Kiernan created Clean Up Sydney Harbour Day, which a year later, in 1990, evolved into Clean Up Australia Day.

The exhibition recognises the 25th anniversary of the Sydney event and kicks off celebrations in the lead-up to the 25th anniversary for Clean Up Australia Day in 2015.

Having had his work shown in more than 200 exhibitions, Mr Dahlsen has amassed a great deal of experience during his 30-year career. He won the Wynne prize at the Art Gallery of NSW in 2000 and his art represented Australia at the Athens Olympic Games.

Mr Dahlsen’s main medium is found beach litter, which allows him to focus on environmental issues.

The exhibition will run from February 20 – March 3 2014 at Customs House, Sydney.