Art From Trash

Well thats a wrap for AFT 2025!

But fear not…. it’s not even a year until AFT 2026!

What a Year it has been! This year saw us expand the Art From Trash program into new and exciting realms with the Makers Labs and our Emerging Artists program, as well as one of the biggest and best exhibitions we’ve ever had!

A huge thank you, and congratulations to the 110+ artists that contributed 150+ works to this years event. One of the most frequent comments we heard this year from artists and patrons alike is that AFT just keeps getting better and better, that the depth with which all of you consider reuse materials grows stronger, and the dedication to challenging yourselves to continue exploring is endless. So again we thank you for all that you contribute and for always making this a highlight on so many people’s calendars. What a community!

I would also like to thank and highlight all of the incredible team from Resource Work Co-op (The South Hobart Tippy) that puts on AFT each year. It takes and enormous amount of dedication from so many within the co-op to make AFT happen, and we simply couldn’t do it without the likes of our Managers, Curators, Coordinators, Drivers, Opening Night Staff, Photographers and Gallery Sitters. Truly the best team of waste warriors!

Lastly a huge thank you to The City of Hobart for supporting us to explore our first ever series of AFT workshops: The Art From Trash Makers Labs, and to Arts Tasmania for supporting us to reach out and collaborate with a variety of organisations with a focus on encouraging emerging artists under 25 to participate in AFT 2025.

Lets do it all again next year!

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THE EXHIBITION (for those new to Art From Trash)

Art From Trash is an annual exhibition that encourages the reuse of discarded materials in the production of amazing visual art.

Established in 1993, the ART FROM TRASH exhibition has become an iconic and much loved exposé of creativity. Attracting over 120 artists and 5000 visitors annually, this event has proven itself as a powerful and much needed change agent for a better future.

Makers of all ages, styles and stages, from emerging talent to established practitioners, schools and community groups exhibit alongside each other in an exhibition of increasingly accomplished and thought-provoking works of art.

Award Winning Art!

Congratulations!

Once again we were blown away by the level of creativity and wonder that our community creates, and once again our judges deliberated painstakingly on those works that truly took our breath away, to choose just a small selection of those who deserve recognition and celebration.

Judge’s Choice Winner

Nikki Johnston

The First Question – Feathered Egg and Boa

Nikki’s complete transformation of milk bottles into this ethereal being took all of the judges by surprise. When considering the AFT brief of transforming waste into art, the judges felt that there was no better ambassador than The First Question, which transformed its base material beyond recognition.

Trash Rat (Under 18’s independent artist) Winner

Finn Gillespie

Jetty

Finn’s creation of a whole world in miniature was an absolute highlight of the exhibition. not only did Finn create their world from waste, but went a step further and created miniature waste from waste!. Further exploring our impact on the environment… The longer you look, the better Jetty gets!

Worn Issues (Wearable Art) Winner

Threadsmith P.

Junk Mail

It’s hard to say enough about the power of this piece. Threadsmith’s painstakingly hand-stitched messages had us reeling over the impact that art can have, and how important it is as an expression of who we are as individuals, communities and a society. Truly a masterpiece.

People’s Choice Winner

Brian Looker

Reaching New Heights

Once again it was so hard to know who was going to take top spot in the People’s Choice, but we weren’t surprised when we tallied all the votes and Reaching New Heights flew sky high. Brian’s works are always a highlight of AFT, with their incredible attention to detail, imagination capturing depictions of wondrous creatures, and expansive explorations of natural and human created materials, we’re so excited each year to see what we’ll receive.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Thank you as well to Resource Work Co-op, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, Folde Yoga Studio, Murray St Massage and Fullers Bookstore for the prizes! Your ongoing support means the world to us!

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Key Dates for AFT 2026!

We’re moving dates!

Entries open:

– Tuesday 31st March

Entries Close:

– Tuesday 21st April, Midnight.

Artwork Delivery:

– Tuesday 12th May, 8am – 6pm

Opening Night:

– Friday 15th May, 6pm – 8:30pm

AFT Exhibition