Tasmanian artist Warren Thomas has devoted 12 years to his passion for making buildings from recycled materials.
The incredible product of his years of collecting and constructing will be on display at the Warwick Art Gallery for the next five weeks. Materials used include cardboard, polystyrene, cans, bottles, milk cartons, straws and ice cream sticks.
The total artwork features in excess of 900 individual buildings and can take up an area about 200 square metres.
Warwick Art Gallery director Karina Devine is delighted to be able to bring Warren and his BoxWorld exhibition to Warwick.
“The logistics of simply trans-porting BoxWorld from its current home in Melbourne has been a challenge,” she said.
“Apparently it will take two whole days to set up the city once it arrives. I am looking forward to seeing the gallery transformed
into a miniature world complete with a football stadium and Ferris wheel!”
Warren Thomas was inspired to create the artwork after visiting a travelling display by Lego Land. Finding Lego to be too expensive he started to use items he could find around the house. The artwork delivers a very strong recycling message and has proven to have value as an educational tool, with the two days of free tours and workshops for schools being fully booked several weeks ago.
The gallery received support from the Regional Arts Development Fund to bring BoxWorld and Warren Thomas to Warwick. The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Southern downs Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.
BoxWorld will be ready for viewing from today. You can meet Warren for a special tour and talk at 5pm today or join him tomorrow at 6pm to officially welcome BoxWorld to Warwick.
Both events are free, however, the gallery would appreciate RSVPs to assist with catering. BoxWorld will be on display every day
except Monday.
For opening hours and group booking enquiries, phone Warwick Art Gallery on (07) 4661 0434.