From dented hammers to giant sculptures, painter Ruben Gérard reinvents recycling with Ecomaison. His mission? To prove that recycling is also an act of creation.
The art of seeing beyond rust
In his studio, Ruben Gérard observes a worn hammer as others might contemplate a masterpiece. A painter and illustrator with a singular visual universe, he draws his inspiration from movements ranging from art deco to Japanese ukiyo, via ancient and modern sculpture and street art. When Ecomaison asked him to transform end-of-life DIY and gardening tools, it was an obvious choice.
© photo @bastienlattanzio
""I immediately saw the potential.. These end-of-life tools, for me, are an incredible opportunity."
Ruben Gérard
Five benevolent giants born from scrap metal
Forget the image of the dusty scrap heap. In Ruben's hands, hammers, pruning shears, wheelbarrows and planters come together to create five life-size artistic compositions. "I give them a visual identity, I reinvent them completely", explains the artist.explains the artist. A watering can becomes a monumental sculpture, a pruning shears turns into an XXL figure. "I thought of these works as benevolent giants", he reveals, brush in hand.he reveals, brush in hand.
Every scratch, every trace of wear and tear tells a story and nourishes his creations. Bright colors, assertive graphics, impressive dimensions: his works challenge our view of everyday objects that we thought were fit for the garbage can.
Recycling as an act of pure creation
This collaboration with Ecomaison reveals a profound philosophy. For Ruben Gérard, "to recycle is to imagine a second life for something we thought was finished".. It's a conviction he hammered home with passion: "For me, recycling is pure creation. It's exactly what I do as an artist: give things a new perspective."
His message is all the more compelling because it is embodied in tangible works. "A pair of pruning shears, a trellis, they're not finished. They can become art, decoration, inspiration", insists the artist. These monumental sculptures are a reminder that every tool put into the right channels can become a raw material for new objects or a support for artists.
Recycl’expo: Nearly 100 cities working to change perceptions
Starting on March 7, 2026, and continuing for three months, Recycl'expo, with its benevolent giants, will return for a second edition in nearly 100 cities across France. For this new edition, the exhibition will be held every weekend in four French cities simultaneously, featuring a life-size artwork accompanied by a photo exhibition documenting this creative transformation.
From the north to the Alps, from the Loire to Toulouse, Ecomaison's traveling exhibition proves "that recycling is creative everywhere,", as Ruben points out. The exhibition also provides food for thought: what happens to our used objects, and what role do we want to give them? The Ecomaison teams accompany visitors with activities to help them understand where to dispose of their tools, how recycling works, and what actions to take on a daily basis. Social and solidarity economy organizations, working in particular to reuse DIY and gardening items, are on hand to explain their role in giving these objects a second life.
A lasting message for concrete action
In the face of ecological urgency, Ruben Gérard demonstrates that environmental responsibility and unbridled creativity can go hand in hand. " These sculptures are my way of saying to people: look at your used tools differently," he asserts with the passion that drives him. The initiative aims to inspire lasting change: your tools can be dropped off at dedicated collection points all year round. Because behind every bent rake, every dented spade, lies the potential for transformation. Ruben Gérard's works are living, monumental proof of this.
Recycl'expo will tour France for three months, starting on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
An Ecomaison initiative to reinvent DIY and gardening tool recycling.
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