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Two men smiling on a boardwalk-style setting with colorful vintage-style signage and string lights above. One wears a white t-shirt with “I ❤️ Glastonbury on Sea,” while the other wears a black t-shirt. They stand close together in the bright sunshine, with a lively festival atmosphere around them.

“Mutating with waste”-philosophy of creative vision at Glastonbury Festival

London born artist and founder of the Mutoid Waste Company, Joe Rush, joined us to talk about his creative practice. He creates iconic mechanical & monumental sculptures and installations from discarded military and industrial scrap.

He joined us from the fields of Worthy Farm as he was preparing ‘Carhenge’ made from 24 mutated vintage cars in Williams Green fields at this year’s Glastonbury festival, he first created a much scaled down version in 1987. I was amazing the wifi worked.

He took us on a journey of his life from the streets of London that inspired his work today, the inspiration of his parents who were artists, and how he made his way in the world, following his values and creativity.

Joe spoke of the power of ‘things’. Not to underestimate the tangible. It is something you can smell, hear and touch. People can not unsee or un-expereience what they have experienced when they experience Mutoid Waste.

Top tips I took away from Joe’s talk: 
– Understand your medium in order to be free
– With hard work and persevere, you will get better at what you do
– Work together to bring strength and fulfilment
– Allow space to change your consciousness
– Allow space to change the way you do and react to things
– Allow people to be creative, let them play, let them evolve
– Have an understanding of your own creativity

“You have to mutate to survive”
“Use kindness”
“Trust yourself”

Thank you Joe for sharing so much and showing us the way! Long may we be playful and creative and for creative people to be a part of society.

Katherine Nichols