Gilbert Angeles
The cliche that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” has proved to be strangely true as it developed in the form of artistic upcycling. Some of the most awesome recycled art works have been born out of the simplest and most abundant of materials: garbage.
Artist Gilbert Angeles may have had a similar starting point but he has managed to create an inspiring style of art from recycled commercial single use plastic. Artist Angeles uses recycled single use plastic to make attractive pieces of contemporary paintings and literally turn everyday trash into creative treasures.
Gilbert Calderon Angeles is a Post-Consumer Waste Artist, a new breed of artists who use post-consumer wastes to create beautiful artworks. Plastic pollution is a big and serious environmental issue facing the country and the whole world. Our ocean needs help. Gilbert Angeles uses shredded plastic sachets in his artwork to create awareness on the adverse effect of plastics or single-use packaging.
Gilbert Angeles’ artworks create value out of waste. This advocacy connects well with his belief that with increased environmental awareness, behavioral and attitudinal changes will follow. People will sort, collect, and become more responsible with their garbage.
It hopes for a sense of urgency, for society to change its ways, and move towards a society free from single plastic use. He quipped “Acceptance of our own responsibility for actions that lead to environmental degradation is the first step towards climate change adaptation and environmental recovery”.
Artist Gilbert Angeles is a graduate of Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas Manila. He was born in Plaridel, Bulacan and was raised and molded in the rich culture of provincial life. Gilbert won as Finalist in the 2019 GSIS National Art Contest with an art piece “Palahaw ni Inang Dagat” that pushes for more sustainable zero waste lifestyle.
His unique art style and environmental advocacy platform caught the attention of social media and got him featured on three major local TV networks, ready to inspire the local and global art communities.