Pigment paint from pollution by John Sabraw

Artist John Sabraw has partnered with engineer Guy Riefler to turn toxic acid mine drainage into non-toxic paint pigment. One small pilot facility and progress on a multi-million dollar full-scale plant will prove our process can work on an industrial scale, and also serve as an immersive, educational installation. Once the pigment is sold on a commercial scale, revenue will be invested back into the streams’ remediation.

Sabraw’s current art work uses the pigment produced by extracting and converting toxic acid mine drainage (AMD) from polluted streams in an effort to raise awareness on environmental issues that pose a threat to wildlife and communities.

Sabraw’s paintings, drawings, and collaborative installations are produced in an eco-conscious manner, and he continually works toward a fully sustainable practice. In his line of work, he continuously seeks alternative materials to produce art and explores visionary ideas and schemes crossing disciplines and even cultures.

Articles

• Donatelli, Jen, “Stewards of the Landscape,” Ohio Today, Spring 2019 Landscapes, Print.
• Stiehm, Carleigh, “Exploring “art.now.2019’ at Hearst Tower,” Hearst, April 22,
• Gibson, Andrea, “Pollution to Paint,” Perspective Magazine, Fall Issue, Print.
• Schonhardt, Sara, “This Ohio Paint Production Experiment Creates Art — and Potentially Jobs — From Polluted Mine Sites,” Virginia Public Broadcasting, November 19,
• Szita, Jane, “John Sabraw Paints With ‘Lifeless but Dazzlingly Coloured’ Pollution,” on Frame Magazine, no.108, January, Frame Web, June 26,