Indonesian artist transforms marine trash into art

Ari Bayuaji's invented fabric made from fishing junk makes a global connection

Works by Indonesian artist Ari Bayuaji using upcycled trash collected from the ocean are displayed at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (Courtesy of Ari Bayuaji)

PHILIP CORNWEL-SMITH, Contributing writer

August 24, 2023 08:00 JST

SANUR, Indonesia -- The shores of the Indonesian island of Bali are awash with both tourists and plastic. While combing the temporarily deserted beaches during the pandemic, Ari Bayuaji, a Javanese artist, noticed an unlikely resource amid the trash.