Found: The Art of Recycling explores the work of 15 artists and looks at the way they incorporated recycled and found materials into their work. It is a fascinating guide for children and teenagers with an interest in sustainable art and the many ways recycled and found materials can be incorporated into creative projects and artworks. This book doesn’t only instruct, it encourages children to experience and explore their own world and connect their creative interests with the objects and materials that are part of their everyday lives.
I am a great advocate for encouraging the creativity of children and I think books such as Found: The Art of Recycling are a wonderful resource for parents and teachers wanting to encourage children to view art and creativity as something interactive and personal.
Each artist profile includes a brief description of the art movement or style that artist represents, an image of one of their artworks with a brief explanation and suggestions for an activity that encourages children to explore the techniques, ideas and materials used by the artist. Artworks range from those of Picasso and Duchamp from the early 1900s to the work of contemporary artists such as Australians Adam Hill and Fiona Hall, British installation artist and sculptor Tony Cragg and German performance and installation artist Rebecca Horn.
Found: The Art of Recycling by Sydney artist and teacher Lisa Holzl emphasises the role art and creativity play in providing opportunities for individuals to express their ideas and responses to the world around them and to challenge traditional ways of thinking. It is a great resource for children at home and would also be useful in a classroom setting for art lessons and considering the impact and message of sustainable art and design. There are teachers’ notes targeting stages 2, 3 and 4 (grades 4 - 8) available for this book from the Walker Books website.
Title: Found: The Art of Recycling
Author: Lisa Hölzl
Publisher: Walker Books, $34.95 RRP
Publication Date: 1 October 2012
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781921720130
For ages: 9+ years
Type: Junior non-fiction