Everyday Plastic

As the world wakes up to the plastic pollution crisis, Dreamland Margate – Britain’s oldest-surviving amusement park – is doing its bit to raise awareness with the latest commission for its Mural-by-the-Sea project.

12 months’ salvaged plastic

The second of five commissions for the large billboard within the amusement park is by Daniel Webb, who is based at Margate’s Bon Volks studios.

Over one year, Daniel didn’t throw away any of the plastic he used – not even a straw, bottle top or clothing label. The result was the collection of a staggering amount of plastic.

This commission sees the waste leave his flat for the first time to present a visceral and visual sculpture of 12 months’ salvaged plastic.

‘Everyday Plastic’ is a photograph featuring recognisable brands and familiar items in a host of colours, shapes and sizes. The sheer volume of plastic consumption by just one person is clearly demonstrated, and the piece is particularly prevalent given Dreamland’s location next to Margate’s golden sands on the East Kent coast.

The artists

Daniel harboured an interest in plastic pollution since he moved to Margate in 2016. His experiment explores his individual impact on plastic, the learnings and results of which he wants to share with anyone who is willing to listen.

‘What started out as a bit of an experiment has become a pertinent snapshot of the ubiquity of plastic use, and I’m really happy to raise awareness. The results are as stark as they are shocking. With the help of photographer Ollie Harrop, I want to show and share with people what a year’s worth of plastic use looks like. This simple ambition forms the concept of the piece, which centres around our individual contribution to plastic pollution. For me this isn’t about telling people off or preaching at them: my hope is that visitors to Dreamland see the piece and come away with their own conclusions about plastic.’

DANIEL WEBB
Creator of ‘Everyday Plastic’

Photographer Ollie Harrop and post-production specialist Ian Hall bring this experiment to life with an image that sees each individual piece of rubbish shown at actual size.

Ollie Harrop’s large-scale prints include commissions for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Ian Hall is the founder of Massive Face, a photographic post production company. Daniel, Ollie and Ian are all members of Bon Volks Studios in Margate.

Though abstract and colourful, Dreamland Margate says ‘Everyday Plastic’ will raise awareness ‘in an accessible, honest and direct manner’.

The piece will be on show from Friday 30 March, when the Dreamland amusement park opens for the Easter holidays, until 21 May.