As part of efforts to challenge the way people react to waste and how it intersects with creativity, Lagos is set to join a global initiative with the launch of the ‘Rethinking Rubbish’ Initiative.

Crafted Mind Collective (UK), Cz Green (Mexico), and Iwalewa Art Gallery (Nigeria) have come together to present a cross-continental project focused on sustainability, art, and the transformative power of upcycling.

Led by Director and Co-founder, Crafted Mind Collective CIC, Oluwaseun Ademefun, the project brings together artists from across the globe to explore how discarded materials can be turned into impactful works of art.

Taking place simultaneously in London, Lagos, and Tijuana, the initiative aims to unite diverse communities through a shared purpose, transforming rubbish into valuable, thought-provoking art.

According to the organisers, it will be a unique opportunity to spotlight global environmental issues through local artistic engagement. Already, the Rethinking Rubbish workshop heldin London on May 29, 2025 and was co-coordinated by Oluwaseun Ademefun alongside Jennifer Hadrich.

In Lagos, the programme, which started from May 29, ends on June 1 with a public exhibition at the Iwalewa Art Gallery in Lagos. In Tijuana, the sculptural aspect of the workshop will be led by Alejandro Cárdenas, who will guide artists in a practice known as eco-escultura, or sustainable sculpture.

Speaking with The Guardian, Ademefun said the project would significantly highlight the importance of rethinking waste and redefining its potential. “Rethinking Rubbish is about showing that creativity can turn what’s discarded into something meaningful and valuable. It’s not just an artistic challenge; it’s a call to action for how we approach sustainability in everyday life,” he said.

By engaging with the issues of waste and material reuse, ‘Rethinking Rubbish’ is part of a broader cultural shift toward ecological responsibility in the global art scene.

Director of Cz Green, Adrian Gamboa, noted that art allows us reimagine the potential of what is often ignored. “This initiative connects artists from different parts of the world, creating a shared platform for dialogue around sustainability, creativity and innovation.”

The exhibitions will reflect the collective creativity and environmental consciousness of artists working with plastic, metal, textiles and other found objects. Each city will present unique responses to the theme, encouraging audiences to reconsider their own consumption and disposal habits.

In London, the May 31 exhibition will be open to the public at Woolwich Front Room, offering a glimpse into the creative process and inviting viewers to see the beauty and possibility in what’s often thrown away.

The exhibiting artists would present artworks across different mediums including painting, mixed media, sculpture, installation art, textile and fabric collage.