Plastiglomerate | Andy Hughes

Finding Plastiglomerate

Andy Hughes made a remarkable finding in 1990 when he came across a peculiar substance resembling both plastic and rock in texture and appearance. He creatively incorporated these distinctive forms into several of his early photographic pieces that used 5x4 Fuji Transparency film. These were included in his graduation exhibition at the Gulbenkian Gallery in London's Royal College of Art in 1991. In more recent times, Hughes has revisited and integrated this material in several of his artworks by utilizing 'plastic rock' materials he has gathered from different locations from across the world.

The Material Plastiglomerate

Plastiglomerate refers to a type of human-made rock formation that consists of a combination of melted plastic debris, sediment, and other natural materials. It is created when plastic waste, such as bottles, bags, and other discarded items, is exposed to high heat, often from fires or burning, and fuses together with sediment, shells, and sand. The resulting conglomerate material incorporates the plastic waste within its structure, giving it a distinct appearance and composition. Plastiglomerates have gained attention as a visible representation of the environmental impact of plastic pollution on our planet.