John Guy Johnston
Enough Rope, 2018-2020
Repurposed single-use plastic
Exhibited: Plastic Age, Corban Estate Arts Centre, Homestead Gallery,
Dec 2020 – Feb 2021, solo exhibition
Plastic Age is a visually festive body of work that draws attention to its colourful yet environmentally toxic plastic materials. While celebrating the culture of reuse, the work reminds us of the endless production of plastics and reviews the necessity of its obsolescence as the world moves towards more sustainable products.
Enough Rope consists of a constantly growing pile of multicoloured, handmade plastic rope. The approximately 400 metre rope is braided from repurposed, single-use, soft plastic; again it’s a visually festive celebration of reuse, but reminds us of the seemingly endless production of single-use plastic. In a positive sign for the future, after a couple of years in the making, this work is coming to a conclusion because the supply of excess single-use, soft plastic is beginning to dwindle.