Garbage tapestries are an output of experimentation with pressing plastic. Pressing plastic is an exertion, I must stand on my small 2nd floor porch while wearing a respirator, while ironing with a good deal of force. Over heat the plastic and it stretches, under heat it and it peels apart. Each material has it's own way of being alone and in relationship to the other plastics.

With "Portal for Little Treats" and "Abstract Landscapes," I experimented with cutting up small pieces of plastic and layering them on a canvas of walmart bags. I attempted to hold the elements down with acrylic paint, glue, and scotch tape.

While I enjoyed those results, the pieces frequently fell off all over the house, and the process became inaccessible. From there I explored sewing on these items, both to hold the pieces in place, and also for decorative and functional reasons.

These tapestries are made from pressed plastic bags, that have been layered with other found materials and stitched.

It feels very touching to make something for someone else out of their plastic. Plastic bags love to be repurposed. It closes the leak in the ecosystem, and repairs instead of harms.

For this reason, garbage tapestries are made for and from the same household, or are passed between Jewish communities.

Email picklestobetsy@gmail.com to schedule a commission.