Titled Juju, the piece fuses fine art with environmental consciousness. The 600x600 mm acrylic-on-canvas portrait aims to celebrate colour, texture and collaboration, with crocheted braids made from repurposed pink and red bread bags, says the initiative.

The braids are crocheted by Margaret Nyika, a Re.Bag.Re.Use artisan from Hout Bay, using the intricate Jasmine stitch to create rich texture and movement. Each strand tells a story of transformation, from waste plastic to woven beauty, adds the initiative.

Darren Wilmot, a former schoolteacher-turned-artist, aims to maintain a reputation for his emotive portraits and automotive-inspired pieces. His inspiration for Juju came from a close friend and fellow artist from Tanzania who shares his creative spirit and "zest" for life, says the initiative.

"My inspiration is a girl I worked with from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a few years back, Juju," says Wilmot. "She is an artist, a model and a free spirit. We shared great times together in Cape Town, and this piece captures that energy and joy."

The collaboration with Re.Bag.Re.Use, a local social and environmental initiative that turns discarded plastic bags into functional art, aims to embody the essence of creativity meeting conscience, says the initiative.

"We love working with artists like Darren," shares Regine le Roux, founder of Re.Bag.Re.Use. "It shows that sustainability does not have to be dull; it can be bold, expressive and utterly beautiful. It reminds us that beauty can come from the most unexpected places, and that every act of creativity can make a difference."

Through partnerships like this, Re.Bag.Re.Use continues their aim to redefine what art and sustainability can look like. Every creation can tell a story of human connection, environmental care and the endless potential of imagination, concludes the initiative.

For more information, visit www.rebagreuse.com. You can also follow Re.Bag.Re.Use on Facebook or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor