Application of Footwear Waste Materials as Creative Resource in Mixed Media: A Focus on Mosaic Technique

Abstract

This studio-based research explores the use of footwear waste materials as a creative resource in mixed media art, focusing on mosaic techniques. Footwear waste, including rubber soles, leather scraps, and synthetic foams, is repurposed as artistic material. The study addresses environmental concerns related to solid waste management and investigates the aesthetic potential of discarded footwear. Using an experimental qualitative approach, materials were sourced, processed, and applied as tesserae in mosaic compositions. The findings demonstrate that footwear waste can be transformed into innovative artworks, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional art materials. The study contributes to environmental sustainability discourse and highlights the role of art in transforming waste into valuable creative resources.