As an artist, I am deeply concerned about the impact that human consumption and waste have on our environment. My work centers around the transformation of discarded vinyl advertising banners into works of art that reveal a connection between our consumption habits and the environmental waste we leave behind.

Each banner holds its own cultural history and significance, and my goal is to capture and communicate that history through my art. Using meticulous hand-cutting techniques, I fracture the initial image of the banner, disrupting its central intent and repurposing it into something new. The colors and shapes of the banners are sorted and brought together to create weavings, collages, or three-dimensional wall sculptures. The final piece often bears little resemblance to the original banner, having been transformed into a complex abstract shape with a unique color scheme.

Through my art, I strive to promote awareness, provoke dialogue, and inspire action. My intention is to encourage viewers to reflect on their own consumption habits and consider the impact of their actions on the environment.

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Bio
​Shelley Heffler has been creating art since childhood, crafting tissue paper flowers, drawing chalk designs on sidewalks, and sketching endlessly with a pencil in hand. Born and raised in the Bronx, she found inspiration in her mother’s knitting, marveling at how a simple string could transform into something beautiful. As a young girl, she ventured into New York City on trains, discovering the Metropolitan Museum of Art and enrolling in Saturday classes at the Art Students League. 
 
Although her parents didn’t encourage a career in art, Shelley pursued her creative passions by studying interior design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She began her career designing carpets for Edward Fields, where she honed her skills as a painter and colorist. At 21, she moved to Los Angeles for work, eventually marrying and living abroad in Barcelona, Spain, before embarking on an overland journey to India and back—a transformative experience that deepened her appreciation for cultural diversity and artistry.  
 
Shelley earned a Master’s in Fine Art from Cal State Northridge and dedicated over 25 years to teaching and mentoring students. Her artistic work has been widely exhibited, including at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art rental gallery and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. Recent highlights include her large-scale installations in New York City, such as the ‘Taking Flight’ series in the Saatchi building, and commissions for private clients using repurposed materials.  
 
Now based at her studio in Cathedral City, California, Shelley continues to create eco-conscious art that emphasizes sustainability and community connection. Her work, blending vibrant colors and innovative materials, inspires reflection and dialogue, resonating with audiences in public spaces, galleries, and private collections worldwide.  
These works are one-of-a-kind original work of art. All copyrights and reproduction rights are retained by the artist and may not be reproduced by any process or medium without express permission form the artist.