Preserving nature is one of the basic responsibilities of every human being. Unfortunately, the state of the global environment is getting worse and worse each year, especially when it comes to ocean pollution. Over the last decade, the oceans have become waste dumps for plastic. To raise public awareness of this global problem, a team of orphaned workers in Kenya, together with wildlife conservation artists, creates flip-flop art using ocean trash. Full-scale animal figures end up being sought-after artworks for a wide customer base in the United States.

More than just craft: flip-flop art by Kenyan orphans

Two pro-environmental organizations, Save the Environment Art and Save the Ocean Art, have teamed up with unemployed orphans from underprivileged areas of Nairobi to increase people’s awareness through art. They collect flip-flops on the beaches, clean and compress them, and then turn plastic shoes into beautiful flip-flop art. Skilled artists can give their creations any desirable form, from small tortoises to giant dragons. Each artwork is made entirely by hand, which is quite a laborious process taking up to four weeks of meticulous effort.

The aim of such collaboration is not only to clean oceans but also to provide jobs to people. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, work has been suspended, and hence many Kenyan workers have been left without income. Hopefully, the situation will improve soon, and the project will be started again.

By creating incredible sculptures, Kenyan orphans convey a highly relevant and pertinent message to all people. Their flip-flop art motivates others to value nature, as it is an integral part of human existence. Apart from that, Kenyan artists create truly unique contemporary artworks that might well become a worthy addition to any collection of art.

Hand-made animal sculptures by Kenyan orphans are another wake-up call to modern society. We believe that environmental art projects like this one should be widely fostered to contribute to solving pressing problems.