Artist to Know - Zac Freeman

Today's artist takes recycling / upcycling to the next level.

Zac Freeman

Using stuff we toss away or throw in the kitchen junk drawer like buttons, old remote controls, pen caps, paper clips, Altoid tins, Legos, wire, and plastic bits, become the materials this artist uses to create his amazing one of a kind works of art.

Beginning in 1999, Zac began collecting junk, found objects, and general trash which he then glued to wooden substrate to form an image of faces of men and women.

His art works are made on a large scale (the pieces average about 28" by 35") and when viewed close up look like a bunch of junk that is put together with a hot glue gun, but when viewed from afar his pieces are impressive, compelling and beautiful portraits.

In the artist's own words:
"I was interested in communicating through visual representation in apparent 2-dimensional space and through the actual objects used for the medium in 3-dimensional space. It is very important to me that I incorporate the actual objects into the art as opposed to a picture or rendition of it because it better expresses the intention of the artwork. I feel the junk is more powerful being present. It is an actual thing to be reckoned with that existed in this time and place and carries energy in and of itself."

See more of his work on his website Zac Freeman Art.