In pics: West African artist paints optical effects artworks with used flip-flops

Aristide Kouame, a resident of Ivory Coast, West Africa, paints optical effects artworks with worn soles, holds used flip-flops picked up among the garbage on a beach in Abidjan.

Published on: Aug 13, 2021 4:30 PM IST

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Kouame's works range from large portraits of civil rights and political leaders such as Nelson Mandela to abstracts evoking societal ills including climate change, Covid-19 and wealth inequality. (Instagram/@aristide_kouame_peintre)

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Aristide Kouame, 26, transforms the flotsam into artworks valued at up to $1,000 by cutting the rubber and plastic soles into pieces that he assembles into large collages. (REUTERS)

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"This is the rubbish people have thrown into the sea and the sea brings it back to us because it doesn't want it," Kouame told Reuters. (REUTERS)

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Kouame's technique is both inexpensive and ecologically aware.  (REUTERS)

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According to the United Nations, around 13 million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into the world's oceans every year.  (REUTERS)

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In the interview, Kouame also mentioned that his goal "is to get people to question the issue of their environment, in order to create a better life." (REUTERS)

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He quoted Nelson Mandela in one of his posts on Instagram and captioned it, "Education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world..." (Instagram/@aristide_kouame_peintre)