My artistic exploration centers on the discarded objects within vulcanizer and mechanic spaces, delving into their histories and potential futures. This fascination is deeply rooted in renewal, self-discovery, and transformative change, echoing throughout my personal life and creative production. Using found objects like tires, inner tubes, license plates, and bicycle rims, I craft new forms that weave the stories of forgotten materials into works of significance. Ultimately, my artwork aims to infuse vitality into seemingly mundane objects, celebrating the potential for renewal in what may appear lifeless or resigned. My work explores the value in the overlooked, the failures of the transportation industry in managing its waste, and the environmental impacts of improper disposal practices. With a focus on rebirth and revitalization, I draw parallels between the transformation of discarded objects and the human experience.

A typical day of scavenging for materials starts with a trip to a preselected destination, often chosen based on previous experience. There is no set routine, but one thing is certain: I can’t resist the allure of repair shops along the way. The more forlorn an object appears, the more captivating it becomes. It is in these overlooked and undervalued items that I see potential for transformation. Drawing inspiration from fashion, where ordinary fabric is turned into wearable forms, I borrow various weaving techniques as a primary method of upcycling, knitting together the discarded objects I find.

Vulcanizer shops are a common sight in Ghana. They are hard to miss—usually overflowing with old or discarded tires serving as signboards to alert drivers in need of repair services. A day in the life of a vulcanizer entails patiently waiting for a car with damaged tires to pull up. The vulcanizer either repairs the tires, or replaces them with new or second-hand ones. Drivers usually leave their old tires at the vulcanizer shop. As a result, these places of repair become waste dumping sites for old tires, the value of which drops exponentially. Vulcanizer shops are an environmental hazard: the water that collects inside discarded tires is a perfect breeding habitat for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria.

Due to low demand and abundant supply, abandoned tires cost next to nothing. Prices range from about a thousand Ghanaian cedis for a new tire, to one cedi or even zero for an abandoned tire. These tires are everywhere, scattered across shops and street corners, so charging any more will only cause a buyer to walk a few steps and find another one. Sometimes, I get lucky and acquire items for free; other times, I negotiate a price based on the weight of the sack I take.

Vulcanizers often ask me how I will use these discarded objects. In the simplest terms, upcycling is what I do, but upcycling alone does not necessarily give an object new meaning. Transforming discarded objects into art is not merely about repurposing materials, but also about reshaping perspectives and narratives. As I stand outside a vulcanizer shop, negotiating for discarded tires, I am reminded of the intricate interplay between value and perception. These spaces, normally deemed waste dumping sites, become a fertile ground for artistic exploration and social critique. Through my artistic interventions and creative process, each piece tells a resurrection story. As I navigate these spaces and exhibit completed pieces, engaging with the community and reclaiming the discarded, I hope to inspire introspection, instill hope in the possibility of new beginnings, and spark conversations about value and creativity. I invite others to see the beauty and potential in the overlooked, and to embrace the power of transformation in their own lives.