Abstract

<p>Contemporary artist in Nigeria faces a difficult time in practicing and exploring new techniques that enhance their artistic innovations. The rate of art materials is well outside their means, their inspiration is often misunderstood, and sources of social support are limited. In Nigeria, plastic litter is a major environmental and public health problem. The World health organization in (2018) banned all plastic used as secondary packages regardless of their thickness or color. While this is being implemented, there continues to be plastic usage in our environment. This being the case recycling plastic is a good alternative for reducing harm to the environment. As the use of plastics increased over the years, the build-up of used ones is evident throughout the capital city and in spite of the ban, it has continued. There is a need for plastics re-use and recycling. The study aimed at identifying colour plastic materials which could be recycle as an art medium. After recycling new forms were created. This new outcome was used in the production of innovative painting through the plastics. The types of coloured plastics found appeared to show that PETE, HDPE and LDPE were mostly found in the area of the study. The painting incorporated element and principle of art, shapes textures rhythm lines proportion and the resultant paintings confirmed that recycling of plastics PETE, HDPE, LDPE PP could be successfully used as an art medium in the production of innovative paintings. The resultants of this study should also enable contemporary artist to develop their innovative paintings using plastics materials inspired by different plastics materials This research therefore recommends the recycling of plastic materials as an artistic medium and should be encouraged as it creates a new form of art and will help artists in accessing alternative materials for their compositions as well as help in cleaning the environment</p>