"SHELLSCAPES : Reforming Waste" by Tiffany Pattinson

Shell Scapes: Reforming Waste by Tiffany Pattinson, Redress’ current designer-in-residence, launched on September 14, 2024, at Mondrian Hong Kong’s Corner Shop. This performance art exhibition highlights the intersection of art, sustainability, and Hong Kong’s cultural identity, as part of Mondrian’s collaboration with Redress, a charity dedicated to reducing textile waste.

Pattinson’s live performance transforms discarded garments into sculptural pieces inspired by oysters—nature’s unsung climate champions. The work celebrates oysters’ role in storing carbon, filtering water, and protecting coastal ecosystems, linking their environmental impact to Hong Kong’s nickname, “Pearl of the Orient.”

The performance unfolds in three phases:
Clean as I Create: Sorting garments by material and colour, each piece is carefully arranged to emphasise its potential.

Turning Trash into Pearls: Fabric twines are crafted from the sorted garments, with their size and volume shaped by audience engagement.

Building Structures: These twines are transformed into sculptural home goods, including rugs, vases, and stools, available for purchase, with proceeds supporting Redress.

Through Shell Scapes, Pattinson challenges us to reimagine waste, uncover beauty in the discarded, and reflect on our role in creating a more sustainable future