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Everyday Materials in Art

Artists have shown that one's trash is another's treasure. In homes, workplaces, and trash dwell objects and materials that artists have used to create lasting, impactful art.

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Street Scene in Paris (Scène de rue à Paris), Félix Vallotton Swiss, Gouache and oil on cardboard. — Street Scene in Paris (Scène de rue à Paris)
Félix Vallotton
1897

"Easy Edges" Side Chair, Frank Gehry American, born Canada, Cardboard with Masonite edging — "Easy Edges" Side Chair
Frank Gehry
designed 1969, manufactured 1971

History Refused to Die, Thornton Dial American, Okra stalks and roots, clothing, collaged drawings, tin, wire, steel, Masonite, steel chain, enamel, and spray paint — History Refused to Die
Thornton Dial
2004

Dog chasing a rabbit in a landscape with dacha and hut, Alexander Vershinin, Glass, enamel; moss, straw, paper, sand, stone, clay and mica, Russian, Nikolskoye Pestrovka — Dog chasing a rabbit in a landscape with dacha and hut
Alexander Vershinin
Bakhméteff Glassworks
ca. 1800–1810

Woman Grinding Coffee, Jean Dubuffet French, Plaster, oil, and tar with sand on canvas — Woman Grinding Coffee
Jean Dubuffet
1945

Portrait of a Woman, Manolo Valdés Spanish, Oil, tar, masking tape, organic tree leafs, fabric threads, and powdered pigment on burlap — Portrait of a Woman
Manolo Valdés
1990

Prestige Stool: Leopard, Wood, glass beads, cowrie shells, burlap, printed cotton cloth, Bamileke or Bamum — Prestige Stool: Leopard
Bamileke or Bamum
19th–20th century

The Kite, Gazbia Sirry Egyptian, Oil on canvas — The Kite
Gazbia Sirry
1960

Root box, R.F., Silver, French, Paris — Root box
R.F.
1727–32

Tar, wood, skin, Moroccan — Tar
Moroccan
late 19th century

Howling canine, South central Veracruz artist(s), Ceramic, tar paint (chapopote), Classic Veracruz — Howling canine
South central Veracruz artist(s)
600-1000 CE

Listening to the Waves (Chōtō), Sakiyama Takayuki Japanese, Stoneware with sand glaze, Japan — Listening to the Waves (Chōtō)
Sakiyama Takayuki
2004