One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure – so the saying goes – and for 26-year-old artist Erika Iris Simmons, recycling has become an art form. Using discarded tapes and forgotten old film reels she creates portraits of music and film icons; the results end up in galleries, rather than at landfill.

It started when, lacking cash for art supplies Simmons was forced to get creative with her materials. “I went through the house tearing up what I could,” she says. “That’s when I stumbled on the cassette tapes. I pulled out the ribbon and it reminded me of Jimi Hendrix’s hair, so that was the first thing I made.”

There’s now a wish-list on her website where people can donate their used objects, and wait to see what Simmons re-fashions them into. Topping her list at the moment are an old butterfly net, graduation tassels and vintage lace. We’re intrigued.

www.iri5.com

Patti Smith

Jimi Hendrix

Debbie Harry

Lauryn Hill. Top Image: Audrey Hepburn

Tags: Erika Iris Simmons, film reels, tape