Leftovers

Leftovers documents the work of companies and charities across the UK to improve our world and local communities by recycling leftover products into new, to be re-loved and appreciated. Leftovers is a long term project through which I want to document and celebrate the work of these environmental champions and show a new, more sustainable, way of living.

It all started with a tin of paint. Inspired by photographing a charity’s work to reclaim, recycle and resell leftover paint, I became aware of the potential to turn leftovers – the things we produce and buy too much of or make too much of in our throwaway culture – into new. It made me wonder what else could be made from leftovers and how that could contribute to a more sustainable society.

 From paint to pints and bikes to bags, Leftovers is the story of waste and over-production. It shows the ingenious, passionate people making everyday leftovers that would otherwise go to landfill, causing environmental damage for years to come, into new. Through environmental portraits and still lifes, it shows the processes, care and creativity behind this transformation and the new products that emerge, Phoenix-like, from leftovers to be reused with a new (and sometimes unexpected) purpose.

 Each projects is a collaboration with a charity or company. I am hugely grateful for their openness and partnership but above all their commitment to improving our world and local communities.

These images have been the subject of several solo and group exhibitions and have featured in a local newspaper.