A one-of-a-kind art exhibit transforming flip flop pollution into life-size animal sculptures

The Waste to Wonder exhibit consists of five life-size sculptures of Canadian at-risk wildlife; the narwhal, orca, bison, grizzly, and caribou, and they’re all made from recycled flip-flops!

More than 6,500 flip flops in total were used to make the sculptures, requiring 2,500+ hours of work by more than two dozen artists.

Ocean Sole Africa is a Kenya-based social enterprise behind this art exhibit. They ‘upcycle’ flip-flop waste and turns it into animal art sculptures, which takes the harmful synthetic rubber away from heading to the oceans and into something beautiful which also shares an important message about what we throw away and where it all ends up.

During the exhibit, each sculpture will be available for purchase through an online auction RIGHT HERE! (minimum bid: $5,000+). All proceeds will be donated to Variety – the Children’s Charity. For more details, visit the auction kiosk at the exhibit or online.

Here’s a video of the Kenyan artists finishing their sculptures and shipping them off for display.

In addition to the exhibit, many special Waste to Wonder activities will be taking place in the Grand Court including a selfie station with an iconic Canadian beaver sculpture, artist demo / meet & greet, upcycle bracelet workshops, upcycle Kiehl’s workshop, plastics recycling drives, contest giveaways, and more.

Visit metropolisatmetrotown.com/event/waste-wonder for more details.

Waste to Wonder
August 8 – September 8, 2019
Metropolis at Metrotown (4700 Kingsway, Burnaby)

Open daily during regular mall hours:
Monday to Saturday, 10am – 9pm
Sunday and holidays, 10am – 7pm

Disclaimer: I was invited to check out this wonderful exhibit before it opens to the public. All opinions are my own.