WASTE - Bob Eshuis

From litter to artwork

The WASTE project rediscovers the still lifes of the Amsterdam Masters of the seventeenth century, but with a surprising subject: litter. In this ongoing photo project, the photo gown transforms litter picked up along the banks of the IJ River into works of art that reflect both the beauty and vulnerability of our city.

Using classical compositions and lighting techniques, the litter is given a new stage and the photographs become a tribute to Amsterdam's rich cultural past. At the same time, through this project, Eshuis makes a statement about our contemporary dealings with waste and sustainability. The still lives connect past and present, and invite reflection on the value we assign to the things around us. Come along and experience how waste is elevated to art.