In September we blogged about artist Derick Melander, an artist who creates enormous intricate sculptures from used clothing. This month we’re featuring Guerra de la Paz, which is the name of the creative duo that is Alain Guerra and Neraldo de la Paz. Guerra and de la Paz are two Cuban-born artists who have been working collaboratively for almost 20 years. Like Melander, these two Miami-based artists use discarded secondhand clothing to create large sculptures that are both beautiful and thought-provoking.

Why does Guerra de la Paz create art from used clothing?

“The use of second-hand items poses existential questions, and comes charged with issues of provenance and historical significance, acting as contemporary archaeological relics. Using them as a constructive material incorporates their intrinsic value, and the encapsulated energy absorbed from their earlier role as functional items, adding a metaphysical dimension to the work. Each item has contributed to defining an individual, and suggests time and place, while collectively they represent humanity and allude to an entire population.” (source)

“Discarded clothing is an ingenious medium for artists interested in color. Found fabric is malleable and exists in a complete palette that is almost as versatile as paint, from bright to faded hues, from primary colors to neutrals. Used in mass, the individual garments become brushstrokes in a three-dimensional representational painting. We see the clothes and we see the landscape. Part of the fun of the work is the imperfection of the illusion. And discarded clothing is free.” (source)

Indradhanush (above), is “a large-scale sculpture composed of steel and clothing, is based on unity, with all the colours coming together to create a material, rather than ethereal, rainbow that you can walk through or even touch.” (source). It’s a fun, bright, and happy piece.

Atomic, on the other hand, is a darker piece. Using grey tones juxtaposed against a fiery orange it evokes much different feelings and reactions than Indradhanush.

Neraldo de la Paz sourcing second hand clothes

Undeniably, their pieces are striking to look at. Aesthetics aside, though, their work is important in that it provokes thought. Their pieces cause us think about clothing–and about ourselves. Some reactions may be as mild as “That’s made entirely of clothes?” or “Wow, that’s how many pieces of clothing?” to perhaps deeper revelations about how much we as individuals (and as a society) waste, due to our taking for granted the seemingly endless abundance and affordability of clothing. No matter what your reaction to Guerra de la Paz, the important thing is that you did react. You noticed. Even if only for a few minutes. Because that, at least, is the start to a more mindful partnership with your own clothing.

For more information on Guerra de la Paz, visit their website http://guerradelapaz.com/

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EcoGoodz is a wholesale used clothing supplier in the USA. We supply both mixed rags and credential clothing. In addition to clothing, we supply used shoes both in capsacks and gaylords. For more information please contact us.