Eco-activist Christine Finley is making taking out the trash a fabulous experience in cities around the world with her Wallpapered Dumpster Project. In Rome, Vienna, New York, and L.A., the artist is enrapturing her viewers with environmentally-inspired artwork in the hopes of reminding the public that our earth is beautiful and deserves care. Her work is fun, gorgeous, and action-oriented, so obviously we’re obsessed with it.
Make sure if you are in LA to catch her solo show March 21st-April 4th at Superchief Gallery 739 Kohler Street, Los Angeles, CA
Something else that’s awesome? We had the opportunity for a quick Q&A with Finley!
How did you come up with the inspiration for this project?
I worked in the film industry as a set decorator and scenic painter. I collected wallpaper from various shoots. I was trying to figure out how to use this material when I was asked to participate in an installation at the port of Los Angeles. I worked in a forty-foot container for an entire week and the quantity of goods imported through there was astounding. The containers were all earth-toned so I wanted to disrupt this mono-tonality by wallpapering one with a baroque pattern. Then a few weeks later a friend let me wallpaper his studio dumpster. That’s how it began.
What do you want women (and anyone) to walk away feeling when they see your work?
I want everyone to walk away with a feeling of joy, love, and rapture.
How do you think these gorgeous dumpsters and your art can make a lasting impact?
My mission statement is “I want to inspire.” My work is meant to excite! I do consider myself an ecosexual; my wallpapered dumpster project is all about the practice of loving the environment and inspiring people to view dumpsters as works of art. If this is accomplished, consciousness has been raised. Environmental activism does not have to be ugly, utilitarian, or simply images of landfills; in fact, it needs to be relentlessly glorious so that people will be inspired to take action. The more exciting we make ecosex the better; everyone will come back wanting more.
What are you influenced by, and from where do you draw inspiration?
Being neighbors with Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, among others, I feel challenged to create meaningful, great work. I like to be stylistically promiscuous. Classical painting, junk jewelry mandalas, wallpapered dumpsters, patchwork quilts, eroticism…they all have something in common.
What’s your favorite dumpster?
Magliana, Roma. The first place I lived in Italy, a rough and tumble hood outside of Rome. The whole neighborhood gave me “complimenti” and free espresso from the local bar.
Images courtesy of iamfinley.com
