PET lamps weave textile traditions from all over the world to combat plastic waste

founded alvaro catalán de ocón, the PET lamp project is a creative response to the problem of plastic waste, combining reclaimed plastic bottles with textile traditions from all over the world. designboom first reported on the project which sees communities from every corner of the globe creating unique handmade lampshades back in 2011 when it was conceived, and since then the spanish designer has worked with artisans in colombia, chile, japan, capturing these products, most recently working with yolngu weavers in australia’s northern territory.

all images courtesy of PETlamp.org

in the vast wilderness area known as arnhem land, catalán de ocón led a team to work with a group of eight weavers over the course of six weeks. together with these creatives they fashioned a way of combining their craft with PET plastic bottles, repurposing traditional yolngu mats and creating chandeliers. the collaboration was prompted by the national gallery of victoria triennial where the pieces are now on display after commissioning the designer to create pieces that express the craft of weavers from the australian community.

the recent works see plastic bottles at the centre of woven pandanus leaves which are dies using colours sources from materials such as ashes, red and yellow roots. PET lamp ramingining: bukmukgu guyananhawuy (every family thinking forward), is currently on view as a part of the national gallery of victoria triennial through april 15, 2018.