'Modern Mining' electroplated copper sculpture by Katie Surridge

Bronze pair of electroplated copper shoes made by artist Katie Surridge, created as part of a research project called 'Modern Mining', which won the 2022 Dare Art Prize.

‘Modern Mining’ is pair of electroplated copper shoes created by 2022-23 Dart Art Prize Winner, Katie Surridge. This piece was created in response to the 57.4 million metric tonnes of e-waste was generated in 2021. Taking inspiration from the ancient processes of metallurgy and materiality of mining, Surridge set up a series of ‘e-waste amnesty boxes’ in locations around West Yorkshire and London. Deposited devices were then dismantled by members of the public at interactive workshops, to extract the precious copper contained in discarded tech.

Surridge travelled to Mumbai, India, to trace where some of the world’s e-waste is treated in the informal recycling sector. On this trip Surridge met with workers and exchanged pairs of boots for the open sandals they wore to work. Surridge then worked with scientists at the University of Leeds to use reclaimed copper to create series of electroplated sculptures. Electroplating is a process through which a thin layer of metallic casting is adhered to a non-metallic surface, through the application of a direct electric current.