The artists of Original T-bag Designs live in an informal settlement, outside of Cape Town in South Africa. Although their homes are modest, constructed mostly of bits of tin and wood, they have transformed their homes into studios, in which they create their unique pieces of art. In doing, the artists can care for their families while they work.
Their desire is to paint themselves out of poverty.
Using recycled tea bags as their canvases, the artists create imaginative pieces of art. The tea bags are dried in the South African sun, then emptied of leaves and ironed before being transformed by each individual artist, who then painstakingly paints these small canvases to create magical artwork.
The money the artists earn is a vital part of family income; this project has grown to help support 125 people.
September 16th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I purchased an Original T-Bag artpiece as a gift. The recipient was dazzled both by the vibrant tones and textures of the piece as well as the thoughfulness of displaying artwork that betters the lives of women. Each item is unique and eye-catching.