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THE PK STORY
Based in Selong Belanak, Lombok, and led by artist Elissa Gjertson (top center), the Plastik Kembali team consists of more than 20 talented, artisan assistants from Lombok — the majority of whom are women.
The Plastik Kembali story started when Elissa Gjertson (top center), moved to Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia in 2018.
Upon experiencing beaches strewn with waste, rivers clogged with plastic, burning rubbish and more, she knew she wanted to make a difference.
Based on her creative background and a lifelong passion for art, Elissa began exploring artistic techniques with waste material and, in 2019, opened the Plastik Kembali (PK) art studio.
Today, with her team of local artisan assistants, the PK goal is to bring recycled art to the world, offering new inspiration to the reality of plastic waste. And, as always, offer meaningful community opportunities for artistic expression and skill-building in the process.
But most of all, PK hopes to share its core mission with the world: Let’s transform one of the world’s biggest challenges – plastic waste – through one of Indonesia’s greatest global gifts, traditional folk art.
AS SEEN IN
VIEW OUR WORK
Experience “Cove” – PK’s Immersive Art Installation
Visit Sempiak Seaside Gallery in Selong Belanak, Lombok to experience “Cove” — PK’s immersive art experience in partnership with Nyaman Gallery and Sempiak Seaside Resort. Open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. View more details here.
Nyaman gallery | seminyak, BALI, INDONESIA
Visit the global representative for Plastik Kembali artworks, the internationally-recognized contemporary art gallery Nyaman Gallery in Seminyak, Bali. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Candice at +62 823 4031 9860; international shipping available.
HARVEY GALLERIES | SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
View exclusive Plastik Kembali artworks – available for purchase – from PK’s solo exhibition at Harvey Galleries in Sydney, Australia. Pieces will be available through mid-2025. Contact +61 299070595 for more information.
WIJAYA / ISA ART GALLERY | JAKARTA, JAVA, INDONESIA
A select collection of Plastik Kembali artworks are available through the leading art & design pioneers in Jakarta, ISA Gallery.
Four seasons resorts | bali, indonesia
View Plastik Kembali artworks throughout both Four Seasons Sayan and Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay properties, with pieces available for sale in the FS Boutique at Jimbaran Bay.
w RESORT BALI | seminyak, BALI, INDONESIA
View Plastik Kembali artworks – available for purchase – on display and take home PK artworks and sculpture from the Boutique at W Bali Semiyak.
Sempiak seaside gallery @ SEMPIAK SEASIDE RESORT | selong belanak, lombok, indonesia
Visit Plastik Kembali’s solo exhibition (ground floor) and be part of the World Premiere of PK’s immersive installation, “Cove” upstairs in the mezzanine. Open Wednesday - Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Sempiak Seaside Resort in Selong Belanak, Lombok.
MEET ELISSA
“Optimism. That’s what I want to be known for.”
Meet PK’s founder: Elissa Gjertson. Elissa’s artistic journey has meandered through a variety of forms over the past 40+ years, with a particular interest in global and indigenous art. It was her move to Lombok, Indonesia in 2018, however, that spurred the inception of her new studio, Plastik Kembali, as she explored her interest in creating art from plastic waste.
Today Elissa conceptualises new ways to reimagine waste materials of all types, from plastic and textiles to natural fiber and wood – working closely with her team to translate her concepts into artworks that honour Indonesian artistic traditions. Her creative inspiration pulls from a vast bank of traditional and contemporary folk-art techniques as well as modernist art, abstract expressionism and color field painting.
Plastik Kembali collaborates with recycling centers around the archipelago to source the recycled plastics that become the base materials for all their artworks. Upcycled textiles are sourced from hospitality and textile company partners in Java and Bali and from individual donations.
Elissa credits her family for her artistic enthusiasm. A major, formative influence includes learning traditional fibre arts, such as macrame, cross-stitching and knitting from her grandmothers aunts and mother. Perhaps this is why Plastik Kembali’s art showcases an affinity for these traditionally feminine art forms that are practiced by various folk artists worldwide.
Today, Plastik Kembali consists of Elissa and her team of 20 artisan assistants, the majority of whom are women. While the vision and work has grown in scale, PK’s goal remains to address one of the world’s biggest challenges – plastic waste – through one of Indonesia’s greatest strengths, traditional folk art.
[Elissa is also co-author of the personal development / travel book, Evolution Through Vacation, available at Amazon.com.]
WHAT PK CARES ABOUT
The Plastik Kembali philosophy is simple: make art from waste while doing our part to make the world cleaner, healthier and even more beautiful. Every single day.
01.
Create new & useful value
Originally made from finite resources, single-use plastic has inherent value and can no longer be mindlessly discarded without a second, third or fourth product life. PK is committed to creating new, innovative uses for discarded plastic to add extended value to a material that often has a 100-1000 year lifespan on the planet.
02.
celebrate art & design
PK introduces a new way to transform and view rubbish as a unique material loaded with creative potential. By re-making something uniquely beautiful from plastic waste — literally, turning trash into treasure — PK is committed to leading a new dialogue in the plastic conversation with one-of-a-kind artwork.
03.
contribute a real
solution
Developing nations often bear the brunt of the plastic waste epidemic. Currently, especially in Indonesia & other nations without proper waste infrastructure, many local residents burn rubbish for removal. A portion of PK profits is donated to the Selong Belanak Community Association for waste disposal or, even better, extended, circular use.
04.
collaborate & advocate
In tourism-rich areas like Indonesia, plastic pollution hits doubly-hard as communities must manage waste from both locals and visitors alike. PK is committed to advocating ongoing solutions, working with local & global organizations to find sustainable solutions for local waste management as well as educating tourists on how to leave a lighter footprint.
PK STYLE
PK Abstract Tali Art; shown here at John Hardy Boutique & Gallery, Bali.
TALI ART
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, natural fiber, wood
Details: Plastik Kembali “Tali Art” is the original technique we created in 2019 with our signature “PK tali” – the rope we hand-twist from recycled plastic and waste textile or natural fibers. The essence of Tali Art is a nod to abstract, natural shapes or minimalist, modern design. Tali Art is created in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs; the color palettes vary depending on availability.
PK’s “Tali Coral” private commission for Australian client.
Tali coral
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, natural fiber, thread, wire, steel frame
Details: Plastik Kembali “Tali Coral” is created from PK’s signature tali – the hand-twisted rope created from recycled plastic and waste textile – which is further hand-crafted via crochet, macrame, coiling and other knotting techniques. PK’s Tali Coral artworks are also created in full color or a single hue, depending on the vision and message of the inspiration.
Detail of “Bronze Age”; private collector, New Zealand.
BRONZE AGE
Materials: Upcycled plastic bag, waste textile, acrylic paint, automotive paint, wood
Details: With PK’s “Bronze Age,” the illusion of bronze metal is created with a foundation of waste textile and/or upcycled plastic bags coupled with acrylic and metallic paint. The bronze look and feel reminds us that not everything is always as it seems. This could be a positive interpretation of our waste crisis – perhaps solutions are hidden right before our eyes. It’s only up to us to find them and to unearth the value within.
PK’s Bajai shown at Potato Head, Seminyak, Bali.
LARGE-SCALE TALI SCULPTURE
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, natural fiber, various frames / structures
Details: Plastik Kembali’s Large Scale Tali Sculptures – each created with PK’s tali hand-twisted from recycled plastic and waste textile or natural fiber – take on a variety of shapes and sizes, all rooted in specific inspiration you wish to convey. Contact Candice at Nyaman Gallery to discuss your project today: +62 813 3848 8072. Or click the button to complete our online form and we’ll get back to you soon.
PK Surfboard at Marina Del Ray, Gili Gede, Lombok.
SURFBOARD
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, natural fiber, upcycled surfboard
Details: Plastik Kembali Surfboards feature PK’s “tali” – our hand-twisted rope created from recycled plastic and waste textile attached atop upcycled surfboards. Plastik Kembali Surfboard designs recall traditional motifs or abstract, natural moods, shapes or landscapes. Surfboards are also created on personal or damaged boards from individual collections, hotels or resorts.
“Mata Hari” arat Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay.
mata hari
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, hose or rope, wood
Details: Plastik Kembali “Mata Hari” (“Sun” in English) is created by hand-twisting PK’s signature “tali” – the hand-twisted rope made from recycled plastic and waste textile or natural fibers – around a hose, tube or rope. PK’s “Mata Hari” technique is created in a variety of palettes; for a deeper color hue, we have also added a layer of acrylic paint for a minimalist style.
“Alang Alang” pieces shown at John Hardy Gallery & Boutique, Bali.
ALANG ALANG
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, alang alang, wood
Details: Plastik Kembali “Alang Alang” artwork is created by hand-twisting PK’s original tali around bundles of natural alang alang purchased locally along the south coast of Lombok. The effect is a flowing, ethereal artwork that brings the outside in allowing nature to dance alongside recycled and upcycled material. The juxtaposition of materials is conversational to say the least. Color palettes determined by the artwork’s inspiration.
PK’s Molded Sculpture; shown at Harvey Galleries, Sydney, Australia.
LARGE-SCALE MOLDED SCULPTURE
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, natural fiber, wood, steel frame
Details: Plastik Kembali’s Large Scale Molded Coral Sculptures – created with 100% recycled polypropylene pellets melted in the PK oven – can take on a variety of shapes and sizes, all rooted in specific inspiration or messaging you wish to convey. Contact Candice at Nyaman Gallery to discuss your project today: +62 813 3848 8072. Or click the button to complete our online form and we’ll get back to you soon.
PK Bungkus at Rumah Rubah, Bali. Photo: Josh Robenstone
BUNGKUS
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, natural fiber, additional waste plastic, wood
Details: Plastik Kembali “Bungkus” – or “Wrapped” artwork – is created by coiling PK’s signature tali around additional waste textile or plastic packaging. Each wrapped “tube” is assembled into an abstract design and attached to wood. Pieces are either created with original “tali” colors or, for deeper color experience, we add acrylic paint to create a modern, minimalist style.
PK “Tenun” Weaving at TA’AKTANA / Marriott in Labuan Bajo.
tenun
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, waste textile, natural fiber, thread, wood or steel frame
Details: Plastik Kembali “Tenun” artworks (“Weaving” in Bahasa Indonesia) elevates and reimagines traditional weaving techniques through the use of recycled plastic, waste textile and natural fibers. Each piece is handcrafted on PK’s custom-built looms; edging detail varies based on weaving inspiration and vision.
“Spinning Wheel” artwork at Sempiak Seaside Gallery, Lombok.
SPINNING WHEEL
Materials: Recycled polypropylene, wood, steel
Details: Inspired by the vintage, hand-painted, striped spinning tops made in Lombok, “Spinning Wheel” reveals a playful vibrancy and hope for a sustainable future for us all through artwork created with 100% recycled polypropylene. With a bright reverberation through color – an interplay to inspire a new focus in the current waste crisis – perhaps we can find a new view together. Each piece has been hand-crafted with a round, steel frame to elevate the modern feel.
PK’s “Cove” installation at Sempiak Seaside Gallery, Lombok.
PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS
Materials: Vary depending on project.
Details: From hotels and resorts to government buildings or corporate headquarters to special events or meetings, Plastik Kembali is ready to partner with your organization to create a large-scale public art installation inspired by your vision, mission and goals for inspiration and messaging. Contact Candice at Nyaman Gallery to discuss your project today: +62 813 3848 8072. Or click the button to complete our online form and we’ll get back to you soon.
PK
INSPO
Download the PK Inspo poster :)