Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang: Transforming Plastic Trash into Art

For over ten years, artists Richard Lang and Judith Selby Lang have been collecting trash together on Kehoe Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California, and turning it into playful and powerful works of art that raise awareness about ocean pollution.  The plastic they collect has become everything from sculptural wall art to digital prints, a wedding dress, jewelry, a mobile car sculpture, and more.  Ultimately, their work combines fun and passionate obsession with a thoughtful message about ocean pollution, recycling and creative re-use.

In June 2010, the Arts and Healing Network's Director, Mary Daniel Hobson, interviewed them at their home and studio in Forest Knolls, CA about art, passion, collaboration, collecting, the importance of place, and the tragedy of plastic polluting our oceans. Judith and Richard were also one of the 2009 recipients of the AHN Award.

You can learn more about their work at beachplastic.com, and read anecdotes about their plastic collecting and artmaking on their blog, Plastic Forever.

If you are interested in learning more about the problem of plastic pollution and how to be part of the solution, Judith and Richard offer the following resources:

- Beth Terry at Fake Plastic Fish shares helpful tips for living plastic free.

- Dr. Hideshige Takada of International Pellet Watch is tracking nurdles, and could use your help with his research.

- Plastic Pollution Coalition is an organization committed to stopping plastic pollution.

- Project Kaisai is a nonprofit seeking to understand the scale of marine pollution.