First and foremost, Kate Maurice is an artist. But she is also a print maker, sewer, sculptor and most of all a scavenger with a passion for salvaging old materials from discarded objects, tips, bins and even the roadside.

Environmentally-friendly to the core, she happily admits to going through the rubbish and giving recycled material a new lease of life through her art with bottle-tops a particular fascination for the Wellington eco-warrior.

Kate’s creative practices led her to entering the Sims Metal Waste to Art competition, an exhibition that celebrates the re-use of waste through arts and crafts.

Not only did Kate’s entry ‘Fleeced and Flayed’ win the open three-dimensional section locally but it was also highly commended at regional level.

Kate felt honoured by the recognition and said the support of the local community had been invaluable.

“I had so much support from family and friends who get behind my crazy, creative endeavours,” she said.

The artwork itself is constructed from reclaimed door cavity paper and paper tape. It features numerous pods which reveal tiny refugee figures.

Kate explained that it was a social commentary on consumerism.

“Utopian pastoral scenes of harmonious living with nature are contrasted with figures from current global conflicts based on resource demands.

“I wanted to pose the ideal harmony next to the unfortunate reality, as a reference to our talking the talk but not walking the walk when it comes to sustainable living.”

Kate admitted that the work was a labour of love that took ‘hours and hours’ to complete.

‘Fleeced and Flayed’ is part of a greater body of work that focuses on reclaiming objects and reworking them, something which Kate describes as ‘breathing new life into the refuse of our daily lives’.

She also likes to use valuable materials such as silk and gold thread to combine different elements and ‘challenge the idea of what is precious’.

As part of the creative process, Kate also learned to crochet, spending time with the Gollan CWA.

When it comes to making something, Kate believes that we need to get back to basics and learn fundamental skills.

“Not many people know how to make butter or socks, things of practical value,” she said.

Armed with a Bachelor of Arts (Visual) and a Diploma in Fashion Design, Kate has recently completed honours at ANU. She has now turned her craft into an online business, with some of her recycled wares on sale at vinegarandbrownpaper.etsy.com