The Fox Of Bordalo II | Lisboa, Portugal Editorial Photo

For some years now scratching has been considered a form of art in its own right and its creators, known as graffiti artists or writers, form groups, movements of thought and creative styles and scour cities to find the best place to express their art form. The finesse required to create these highly detailed artworks can rarely be achieved without the use of canisters which rely on compressed gases as a propellant. These gases are harmful to the environment and also to the artists themselves. So, out of the art of street graffiti a new movement is being established, that allows artists to express themselves using recycled materials. At the helm of this movement is Bordalo II, a Portuguese artist who is turning the consumerist, materialistic world that we live in, into desirable and highly discussed works of art featuring our favourite animals. Damaged bumpers, burned trash bins, tires, household appliances and other waste materials are incorporated into the walls of buildings in layers that have evolved into a collection called ‘Trash Animals’. The art pieces have built a cult following and illustrate the damage that we are doing to our world doesn’t just affect us humans, it also has an impact on that share our planet.