John Couzens' handmade work has evolved from everyday waste he recycles and transforms into pieces of art in the living room of his cramped flat on a Peabody Trust Housing Estate.
It is both ecologically friendly and cost efficient, in that it explores society's obsession with the 'new' by making creative use of the waste generated because of it. He is now actively seeking funding for workspace, and/or recyclable donations to enable him to fulfill these as well as other creative projects.
John's sculptural piece 'Natural Armour' was part of the Hayward Gallery's 100 Years of Fashion exhibition while he was a mature student at London Guildhall University and his art has also been exhibited as part of Peabody Trust's Made in Bankside. More recently, his paintings and collage were shown in the exhibition Eclectic Two at The Gallery at Chelsea Library - Old Town Hall, King's Road.
In March he was interviewed for the 'Cafe Conversation' series held at St. Andrew's Short Street. John is also volunteer artist, self-taught website designer and co-editor for the independent, commercial free arts website EXTRA! EXTRA! which, shares some of its volunteer writers' reviews of theatrical productions in the Bankside area with this website.
John will also be the first artist to create a permanent artwork for the church's forthcoming Sculpture Garden which will centre around the theme of homelessness in their newly regenerated garden.
For the latest local news and events direct to your inbox every Monday, you need our weekly email newsletter SE1 Direct.