JUNKSCULPTURE

Marcel Duchamp coined the term readymade in 1915 to describe his found object art. Readymade can be simply defined as art made from found objects that are reassembled in an interesting way. Duchamp assembled the first readymade sculpture, entitled Bicycle Wheel in 1913.

The use of found objects was quickly taken up by the artists of the Dada movement. Francis Picabia used the readymade technique by pressing combs into his painting to represent hair.

Gift (1921) is another readymade sculpture made by well known Dada artist, Man Ray.

Over the years there have been many variations of found art. One of these genres is is known as trash art or junk art. These works are primarily made from objects that have been discarded and often they come quite literally from the trash or recycling.