Reclining on the iconic Millennium Bridge in London, artist Ben Wilson passionately transforms discarded chewing gum into miniature masterpieces on the ground beneath him.
Clad in a paint-splattered orange jumpsuit, the 60-year-old artist shares, "The crucial aspect is that the gum lies beneath the metal tread. The charm lies in their diverse shapes and sizes, defying conformity."
For Wilson, what many actively avoid or overlook presents an opportunity to elevate a minuscule piece of refuse into something aesthetically pleasing. Beyond that, it serves as a means to captivate passersby, encouraging them to inspect the ground more closely.
"By creating artwork on such a small scale, those who chance upon it discover a hidden world beneath their feet," explains Wilson. "Observation leads to revelation, making it a matter of perception."
Back in his studio in North London, Wilson paints intricate designs on small mosaic tiles destined to adorn the walls of London's Underground platforms. Concealed in plain sight, these images, unlike his gum creations, delve into a more personal realm. According to Wilson, they represent an "intuitive visual diary."
"These pictures are a celebration of my life and the people I hold dear. They also serve as a visual exploration, an attempt to make sense of the world," he shares.
A London native, Wilson was raised by artist parents, fostering his creativity. His artistic journey commenced at the age of three, working with clay, and he held his first art show around 10 or 11 years old. While his earlier works comprised sculptures and large pieces in natural environments, his focus shifted to discarded items from a consumerist society, particularly chewing gum, a canvas for his artistry over the past 19 years.
Crucially, Wilson emphasizes that the top surface of dried gum falls outside local or national jurisdictions, providing a canvas where he can paint without defacing public property.
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