Recycling at its finest

AMMAN — The long-held adage that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is taken to a whole new level by artist Ahmad Subaih, who in his latest exhibition at Gallery 14 crafts works of art out of discarded everyday items.

In painstaking detail and fascinating complexity, Subaih makes life-size and miniature motorcycles, tiny cars, a mini-helicopter, human-like figures and so much more with so little.

Each piece is one world unto its own, with every little part meriting further examination and eliciting more wonder.

What looks like a motorcycle from afar, turns out to be a work of art created from discarded vacuum cleaner parts, clothes hangers, parts of children’s toys, cooking utensils, discarded watches and many other unlikely ingredients, glued together with screws and wires.

The seemingly mundane items take on a new identity and transcend their purpose, becoming single pieces of aesthetic beauty. 

“These are items designed in a certain way to serve a purpose. Once they can longer serve that purpose for other people, they become my concern,” Subaih told The Jordan Times.

“Many cannot tell the difference between discards and garbage. They’re only interested in something as long as it serves their own purposes,” he said.

“The trick is to see the items in their fourth dimension and discover what they can be turned into,” noted the artist, who has a BA in fine art from Yarmouk University and has led workshops to teach children this mode of creativity.

Subaih said he does not allow his raw materials to confine his vision; he can shape them into the piece that he wants to create.

“I see potential in every piece of junk I come across,” he added.

As a child, Subaih said he was fascinated by what can be made out of items that no longer serve their original function, tinkering with toy cars and wires.

The work on display at the exhibition “Things”, the second to showcase the Jordanian artists’ talents in what he said is called “poor art”, are the fruits of six years of creative work.

“I enjoyed this work more than I enjoy painting. I feel it involves more creation and innovation, and it takes hours of my time, away from daily distractions and far from people,” said Subaih, who has 10 years of experience in this type of art. 

“People tend to mock everything you do.”

“Every item that serves a purpose will be discarded one day, except for a work of art — that is eternal,” the artist said, adding that the parts he used to create his “sculptures” have now evolved beyond their original purpose.

This manner of creativity, according to Subaih, should be taught to children at schools to help them see beyond the obvious, voicing hope that fellow local artists would show more interest in this field.

Creating art pieces out of perceived junk is more challenging for him because “no two pieces are the same,” which forces the artist to make “something out of nothing”.

“I had to paint some pieces because they served me in shape but not in colour,” he said.

Beyond creativity, innovation and perseverance, Subaih said making such works of art requires one key ingredient.

“With love you can make anything.”

The exhibition continues until October 2.