Portugese Artist Bordalo II was one of the artists that participated in this year’s Nuart Aberdeen festival, and ‘ironically’ he adorned one of the city’s walls with collected trash. The artist continued his ‘Big Trash Animals’ series of sculptures with a nod to Scotland’s national animal – the Unicorn.
About the Sculpture
The piece, which is made entirely from end of life materials gathered from Aberdeen and the surrounding area, alludes not only to the threat that pollution poses to animals but to the human race, our dreams, customs and ideas.
With Scotland being famed for its love for, and long history of, myths and legends, it’s no surprise that Bordalo II picked up on this fabled creature and its significance within Scottish cultural heritage.
The unicorn was first used on the Scottish royal coat of arms by William I in the 12th century, perhaps due to the popular myth that it is the only animal capable of killing a lion – the national animal of England. When Scotland and England unified under the reign of James VI of Scotland in 1603, the Scottish Royal Arms had two unicorns supporting a shield. When James VI became James I of England and Ireland, he replaced the unicorn on the left of the shield with the lion to show that the countries were indeed united.
“It’s not about turning the trash into something beautiful, it’s about creating images of victims with what kills them.” Bordalo II
About the Artist
Born in Lisbon, Bordalo II’s early interactions with art oscillated between his grandfather’s watercolour paintings of classic Lisbon landscapes and seeing illegal graffiti on the city’s streets.
Big Trash Animals, his series of large-scale sculptures, depicts animals made out of discarded and recycled materials. Through portraying animals made from the materials that are responsible for the destruction of their habitats, Bordalo II draws attention to the problem of waste and pollution, and its effect on the planet.
His works are built with end-of-life materials: the majority found in wastelands, abandoned factories and industrial estates. Damaged car bumpers, used tires, garbage cans and household appliances are just some of the objects that can be identified within his vibrant sculptures; even more so in his latest series of ‘half and half’ installations which bring his specific choice of materials – and the message behind his work – to the fore.
About Nuart Aberdeen
Nuart Aberdeen, a new international platform, is designed to not only present the most interesting and relevant Street Art of its time, but to also activate and inspire an emergent local scene whilst encouraging creative collaborations with twin city Stavanger.
Brought to you by the team behind Stavanger’s internationally renowned Nuart Festival, the award-winning festival returned to the Granite City for its second year this April.
Developed in collaboration with Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council, Nuart Aberdeen provides a platform for local, national and international artists to showcase their work through a series of site-specific murals, installations, interventions, and temporary exhibitions.
Images by Ian Cox and Brian Tallman
Bordalo II: website | facebook | instagram
Nuart Aberdeen: Website | Facebook | Instagram
