Contemporary artist recycles for charity

Reporter: Aisha Iqbal
Date online: 23 November 2009

Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre hosted a charity ball at Rochdale Town Hall to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation. The theme for the evening was ‘A Touch of Green’, which links to their environmental initiative Bee Aware.

To add a touch of ‘green’ to the evening Lorenzo O’Reilly, Centre Manager of Rochdale Exchange commissioned two dresses - created from waste which is produced at the centre - which were worn at the ball. Local artist, tailor and sculptor Adnan K Bayyatt was commissioned to create the garments. Shrink wrap and bubble wrap were in plentiful supply, so, he set to work crocheting approximately two and a half thousand metres of it incorporating other mediums along the way.

Mr Bayyatt said: “The garments are aesthetically ‘avant garde’ yet periodic in style with corsets and elegant cascades of pearl-like flounces and lime green fringing. A pearl white lining littered with lime green lights shimmering beneath the façade give the garments a glamorous and glitzy finish”.

By utilizing the concept of recycling in his most recent and ongoing exhibition he has brought to light the key issue of mass consumption - highlighting the detrimental effect humans are having on the planet. His bespoke collection offers alternative ways of manipulating discarded mediums such as plastic bags, books, ring-pulls and such waste products through textiles and other conventional methods.

All money raised is going to Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant magical wishes for children with life threatening illnesses in the Rochdale area.