Artist Profile

Kelsey Merreck Wagner is an eco-artist, anthropologist, and activist whose research-based practice examines human–environment relationships, conservation, and the global impact of plastic consumption and waste. Working primarily with textiles made entirely from recycled plastic bags and other found materials, she transforms discarded objects into intricate works that explore environmental degradation while advocating for more sustainable futures. Since 2017, her practice has focused exclusively on ecological issues, informed by extensive research and collaborations across Southeast Asia and beyond. Exhibited internationally, her work operates at the intersection of contemporary art, anthropology, and environmental advocacy, using material transformation as a form of science communication that encourages dialogue, collective action, and socio-environmental justice. Alongside her artistic practice, Wagner develops community-based workshops that foster creative engagement with environmental issues and promote coexistence between human and more-than-human worlds.