Trash Talking: Satirical Sculptures by Mike Leavitt

Seattle-based artist Mike Leavitt takes aim at consumer culture and waste with Trash Talking, a series of sculptures built entirely from salvaged materials. The collection features objects like handguns covered in Skittles wrappers, Marlboro Happy Meals, Apple-branded rotary phones, and a lot more. Each piece is a full-scale replica built with nothing but reclaimed cardboard, pallets and discarded packaging. No paint, no extras. The graphics and colors come straight from the original packaging.

Mike’s love for recycling goes back to his dad, who was an environmentalist and teacher. But it’s his clever ideas and sharp humor that drive his creative work. Since crafting his first cardboard shoe in 2006, he’s been using satire to call out the way brands worm into our lives, exposing the darker sides of consumerism, addiction and ecological waste.

Check out some images from the series below, and find more of Mike Leavitt’s work on his website and Instagram. Many of these pieces are also available through his Trash Talking Shop.

More art on the grid Mike Leavitt’s website