Everyday Magic: How Found Objects Transform Mixed Media Art

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Ever looked at a bottle cap or a ticket stub and wondered if it could be art? In the world of mixed media, everyday objects become creative gold. Artists are turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, blending materials and ideas to craft pieces that surprise and inspire.

Joseph Cornell

Found object art—sometimes called “objet trouvé”—is all about giving new life to things we might otherwise overlook. By incorporating keys, wires, fabric scraps, or even packaging into their work, mixed media artists create visual stories that are rich with texture and meaning.

Jane Perkins

Take the legendary Joseph Cornell, whose shadow boxes brimmed with trinkets and ephemera, each telling a whimsical tale. Contemporary artist Jane Perkins crafts stunning portraits using buttons, beads, and toys, showing how personality shines through unexpected materials.

Mircea Cantor

Romanian artist Mircea Cantor has also explored found materials, infusing his work with social commentary and a sense of discovery. Urban artist Aitch incorporates magazine clippings, fabric scraps, and vintage trinkets into whimsical explorations of folklore and modern life. Each piece tells a story, not just through imagery but through the history embedded in its materials.

Aitch

Why does this matter? Found object art challenges our perceptions. It encourages sustainability, invites playfulness, and proves that creativity is everywhere. Whether it’s a designer repurposing packaging for a campaign or a hobbyist collaging with receipts and wrappers, there’s inspiration in the everyday.

Ready to see your world differently? Look around—your next masterpiece could be hiding in plain sight.

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