Mikaël Couturier came to Bali as a regular tourist but became a true waste wizard. Four years ago, the sight of rubbish on the island's paradisiacal beaches didn't just upset the Frenchman—it radically changed his life.
Now, his mornings begin treasure hunting: Mikaël wanders the shoreline, gathering what others discard. Old sandals, glass shards, children's toys washed ashore. All of this becomes material for his incredible art.
The magic begins in his studio, where trash transforms into neat cubes, which then assemble into stunning mosaic portraits. But these aren't just mere pictures—each piece tells a real story of an actual child. "Depicted Child," "11 Years Old," "Febri"—behind these labels are real fates.
Each portrait is equipped with a QR code, and by scanning it, viewers can see photographs of the children in real life. Imagine—you're looking at a beach trash mosaic, and through your phone, you see a smiling child who inspired this masterpiece.
Photo: instagram.com/plasticangelsbali
Most of his models are children from the Suwung landfill. The very kids who live among waste now look at the world from pictures made out of recycled trash.
"My creativity is inspired by children. Beach sandals turn into artistic mosaics," explains Mikaël, outlining his philosophy.
But more importantly, it's not just art. Every painting sold helps these very children gain an education and build a better future. Trash, transformed into art, becomes a real opportunity for Balinese kids.
Source: jawapos
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