In Autumn 2024, Creatives Now welcomed Zimbabwean-born, UK-based artist Zayd Menk for a dynamic residency that explored the material realities and cultural consequences of digital waste. Known for his intricate sculptures made from e-waste and reclaimed electronics, Menk transforms the discarded infrastructure of our digital lives into finely crafted, thought-provoking works that interrogate systems of consumption, obsolescence, and information.

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During his residency, Menk supported young people from Bolton to co-create a series of functional sculptural forms built from "digital debris" with materials supplied by Recycle-IT CIC. 

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Students from Bolton College were invited to view work-in-progress and took part in a special Q&A with Menk, gaining insights into his creative journey and his commitment to sustainability, technical experimentation and conceptual clarity.

 

Through hands-on engagement and conversation, the project opened up new ways of thinking about the life cycle of technology and its potential for artistic repurposing.

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This residency not only illuminated the creative potential of waste materials but also empowered young participants to see themselves as both artists and problem-solvers in a rapidly shifting digital world.

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Menk’s artistic career has quickly gained international attention for its innovative fusion of sculpture, technology and social commentary. Menk’s evolving practice continues to push the boundaries of sculpture and sustainability, with recent works pushing deeper into the infrastructures and ideologies that shape digital culture.