Scavenging for Stories

How an art residency at Recology SF allowed me to tell the story of recycling.

Sorting out at Recycle Central of Recology San Francisco

An art residency can be an opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in a particular subject and produce a body of work. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to participate in the Recology San Francisco Artist in Residence (AIR) Program. Rather than working with found materials as many artists do, I chose to 'scavenge' for stories by engaging with and drawing the employees of ‘The Dump’ and recycling facilities in San Francisco. It was a rewarding experience that allowed me to explore and document, from a unique perspective, the good works of this industry.

Raul Zamora, dozer operator, pushed garbage in ‘The Pit’.

Understanding how recycling works is one key to creating a sustainable world. As a visual journalist, for three months, I had the opportunity to travel through Recology’s recycling facilities, transfer stations, sorting sites, landfills, and corporate offices to interview and draw people; and understand their zero-waste mandate. From mechanics to administrators, drivers to collectors, everyone is committed to making a difference. They know the processes and the technology. We can all learn from their commitment to clean cities and a cleaner future.

Ousmane Sy coordinated the recycling and shipping of paint to developing countries.

I talked to people about their lives and the work they do and believe in. Everyday, these employee-owners see firsthand the overwhelming amount of refuse we produce. I learned how much our society overproduces and consumes and how daunting the challenge is.

My Recology Sketchbook of Portraits and Stories

My task was to produce beautiful and informative reportage drawings that tell their stories honestly and without bias. I created a set of prints and published a book of 33 ‘recologists’ called Recology Sketchbook: Portraits and Stories, which is available at Blurb).

Here are few more drawings:

Anita Migliore (or ‘Pinky’ when she’s off-work) was a diversion operator who restores vintage automobiles in her spare time.

Peter Bross was a shop foreman.

Wade Neeley and his falcon ‘Scout’ work at keeping the birds away from the open pit.

Helpful Jennifer Jenkins was an administrative assistant and receptionist.

Ron Brooker was a general utility operator at Recycle Central.

My time at Recology taught me that as an artist, I could move seamlessly between diverse walks of life and gain different perspectives. I realized my art could educate and contribute to the culture positively and practically.

---

Here’s more:

• My bio on the Recology AIR page.

• More drawings here.

• Here’s an (antiquated) short video I made.

---

all drawings © 2023 Bill Russell