Lagos is set to join a global effort to challenge the way we think about waste and creativity 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 Oluwaseun Ademefun, Director and Co-founder of Crafted Mind Collective CIC, 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. It’s a unique opportunity to spotlight global environmental issues through local artistic engagement.

In London, the Rethinking Rubbish workshop will take place on 29 May 2025 and will be co-coordinated by Oluwaseun Ademefun alongside Jennifer Hadrich. In Lagos, the program will run from 29–31 May 2025 and will conclude with a public exhibition on 1 June at the Iwalewa Art Gallery. 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.

“This project aims to highlight the importance of rethinking waste and redefining its potential,” says Oluwaseun Ademefun. “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.”

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

The Rethinking Rubbish 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.