Who would have thought that recycled rubbish from Barrydale, South Africa, would have made it into the private quarters of the White House, home to US President Barack Obama and family?
Yet two funky chandeliers made from discarded plastic trinkets, beads, and old bottle tops (“doppies”), literally gleaned from the streets of this small, quaint Karoo town are now gracing Barack, Michelle, the girls and the puppy’s new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Regency-inspired chandeliers were created by The Magpie Collective - a "socially conscious art collective..." comprising social entrepreneur Shane Petzer, designer Scott Hart, artist Sean Daniel and administrator Richard Panaino.
Petzer said in an interview with The Times “We’re very excited about it. I mean, here we are, just a small studio in Barrydale. There’s not too many people here, but the whole town is excited about it.”
LA-based decorator Michael Smith, tasked with updating the Obama''s private wing, found the two chandeliers in a gallery in New York. He felt they would appeal to the first family’s love for modern art.
The Magpie Collective’s studio has a large bin on its front porch where locals bring junk for recycling into art.
Which just shows, no matter how humble your beginnings, you have the potential to reach any destination, no matter how lofty!
Looking for accommodation in Barrydale? Contact Portfolio for assistance - and while you''re there, pop in at the Magpie Collective''s gallery for presidential-worthy art.
