Did you know you’re surrounded by potential art supplies? Collaging is an art form that honors working with what you have, reusing print media like newspapers and magazines to create something new, and saving the planet one art piece at a time. Learn collage with Faustin Adeniran, a contemporary sculptor from Lagos, Nigeria, now working in New Haven. You’ll use newspapers, cardboard, cans, and other items to create treasure from trash in this session. Bring something meaningful to add to the collective collage!
Recycled Reflections: Collage Art Made For & From the Community with Faustin Adeniran
In Collaboration with Arts for Learning CT
Faustin Adeniran
Faustin Adeniran is a contemporary artist from Lagos, Nigeria working in New Haven, Connecticut. For the past ten years, his work has been to re-imagine materials that would otherwise be considered trash or recyclable.
Through extensive historical research and deep observation of cultural trends, his work takes a critical view of social and political issues. Faustin's art series reflect elements of the communities he encounters.
His vision is to encourage, educate, and inspire positive social impact through his artworks.
“If you want to learn about a society, look at what it throws away.”
Faustin Adeniran employs aluminum cans and other found materials to create three-dimensional works that defy categorization. Embedded in his works are references to Yoruba, broader Nigerian culture, racial and tribal conflict, and the complicated history of African colonialism.
Part mosaic, part assemblage, Faustin’s works feature fields of dazzling color crafted from an array of cans cut into strips and lozenges to mourn the loss of traditional African cultural practices through the gradual adaptation of Western influence—what Adeniran describes as ‘transcendent assimilation.’
Arts for Learning Connecticut
Founded over 40 years ago as an affiliate of Young Audiences, Arts for Learning Connecticut has remained a leading provider of arts in education programs in the state. Our staff of four and roster of 70+ teaching artists serve 150,000+ PK-12 students in over 60% of Connecticut’s towns annually. We work primarily in schools—and also in community centers, libraries, and other civic institutions—offering performances, workshops, residencies, and professional development. Our work spans the creative spectrum—from spoken word poetry and contemporary visual art to classical Kathak dance and improv theater. Our diverse roster of teaching artists is reflective of the students we serve.
At its core, the problem AFLCT works to solve is the fact that many students throughout Connecticut are underserved—and underperforming. In a state with the greatest income inequality in the nation and a deep-rooted and seemingly intractable gap in educational performance between those with and without socioeconomic means, educators and administrators struggle to find resources and programs that can make a difference for young people. In the face of extraordinary financial, human resource, and—of course—health challenges that have had an outsized negative impact on schools, students, and families, we believe our role is to provide effective, efficient, inspired programming that leverages diverse resources to provide critical learning opportunities for all students.
