'I create stunning art collages all from rubbish washing up on local beaches'
Bonnie Steward’s incredible seascapes are litter-ally rubbish...made from the flotsam and jetsam washed up on Cornwall’s beaches.
Look closely at Bonnie’s intricate collages and you will spot fishing net, crisp and chocolate wrappers, bits of tennis balls, and even toothbrushes. The 25-year-old artist collects her material on beach litter picks, cleans it and layers it on wood in a process which can take up to a year.
She takes inspiration from the beautiful coastline of west Cornwall and her work includes depictions of landmarks such as St Michael’s Mount, as well as wildlife such as seals, starfish and birds.
She said: “My work is all about trying to create something that people want to look at, based on something we too often look away from. I aim to capture the beauty of wildlife, the sea and landscapes, whilst addressing our shared responsibility to protect, restore and sustain them.”
Bonnie’s process involves patience, meticulousness and passion and she describes it as “a bit like a puzzle that will gradually come together”. She said: “You never know exactly what will have washed up on the beach, but that’s all part of the challenge. It’s ironic that I’m creating a time capsule, whilst highlighting the terrifying truth that these plastics remain in our oceans for thousands of years.”
Bonnie, who lives near Porthleven, has cleaned beaches for as long as she can remember and was 16 when she created her first art piece, a portrayal of the Porthleven Clocktower. She now sells her art at bishart.co.uk.