From Pandemic Pastime to Street-Found Museum: One Man’s Creative Pursuit
Rıfat Küçükşahin, a 60-year-old retired tradesman in Isparta, has transformed his house into a museum by creating art with waste materials that he finds on the street. What started as a hobby during the pandemic period has now become a passion for Küçükşahin, who is a graduate of Trakya University’s restoration department.
Using materials he buys at auctions and finds on the streets, Küçükşahin creates paintings, figures, and household items made from wood, metal, and tin. His house and garden are filled with these unique artworks that showcase his creativity and skill in turning waste materials into art.
Küçükşahin had the idea to start making art from wood and waste materials after retirement, and he has dedicated his time to this passion ever since. During the pandemic, he had the opportunity to spend more time at home and focus on his art, leading him to produce even more pieces during this time.
His house has now turned into a museum-like space where he displays his artworks for visitors to admire. Many people show interest in his creations, with some even wanting to take pictures and learn how to create similar pieces themselves. Although the house is designed like a museum, Küçükşahin emphasizes that he does not have any commercial purposes and simply wants to share his passion for art with others.
Küçükşahin also hopes to introduce art to children and leave his knowledge in this field as an inheritance to his children in the future. His dedication to turning waste materials into beautiful works of art serves as an inspiration for others to see the beauty in everyday objects and unleash their creativity.
