Lucy of Wimbledon makes a work of art from the things that she finds

Updated: 17 November 2021

An extraordinary array of artwork created from recycled and reclaimed materials has gone on display in Three Rivers district.

An extraordinary array of artwork created from recycled and reclaimed materials has gone on display in Three Rivers district.

The work of local artist Lucy Lardner began as a project under the successive pandemic lockdowns of 2020, reusing materials including old newspapers and packaging. Through conversations and planning with Three Rivers District Council’s Arts Officer, Elaine Johnson, the work is now the subject of an exhibition within Artistsmeet at Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth.

Lucy said: “I made these collages during lockdown at a time of huge uncertainty and stress. I found the process of making repetitive patterns hugely calming. I like transforming discarded newspapers, packaging, old record covers etc. into something new and colourful.”

After graduating with a BA in Fine Art from Wimbledon School of Art, Lucy worked for many years as a scenic artist. In her new artwork Lucy found music one of her biggest inspirations.

She added: “I try to recycle as much as possible and snippets of paper left over from one picture were often used in the next. I found the work ended up with quite a musical theme as a lot of the shapes I used were based on guitars and other instruments lying around the house.”

Lucy’s instinct to make good use of the things that she finds, things that others might leave behind, has been key to her new exhibition. She has worked closely with Watford Recycling Arts Project (WRAP) to make it happen. Lucy has previously helped to deliver art workshops for local primary schools in conjunction with WRAP and Three Rivers District Council.

She added: “WRAP have an amazing scrap store in Northwood Hills, for a small yearly subscription members can go along and find interesting fabrics, papers and other materials collected from local businesses which would otherwise end up in landfill. The purpose of these workshops was to make beautiful art out of recycling whilst highlighting the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans.”

The exhibition: STYLUS runs from 5 November – 31 December 2021

Chair of Three Rivers District Council, Cllr Keith Martin, who attended a recent preview of the exhibition, said: “It was amazing to see what can be achieved by recycling and reusing everyday materials. This exhibition is not only inspiring from an artistic point of view, but also it is a very real example of an artist working in a sustainable manner. I encourage others to go along and be inspired by what Lucy has achieved.”

For more details about Lucy contact craftylucy@gmail.com  or call 07961 157215. For information on WRAP visit their website: www.watfordscrap.wix.com