Other's people’s trash is her treasure. American sculptor Stephanie ‘Sugarfox’ Hongo makes her living turning garbage into beautiful works of art. 

She uses anything from broken hairdryers to plastic forks, Tupperware and toothbrushes to sculpt her animal masterpieces.

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Based in her art studio at her home in Connecticut, Stephanie is never short of material for her artworks because family, friends and neighbours provide her with a steady supply.

“You don’t need to be a dumpster diver to do this,” Stephanie says. “Trash is everywhere.”

Beginning with a piece of wood for the base, she arms herself with a drill and some nails and she begins constructing the chosen animal with the recyclables.  

Once it has taken shape, she paints it to bring it to life. Each completed piece is gifted with a unique name before being posted on her Instagram page, @sugarfox_art, where potential buyers can view the artworks. 

Her work is in such high demand that the pieces usually stay up for less than a day.

Stephanie, who comes from a family of carpenters and typographers, started out working as a freelance sign and mural maker but found it too expensive. 

She then discovered Portuguese mural artist Bordalo II's trash illustrations.

Inspired by the cheap medium, she began making her own sculptures.

Currently she focuses almost entirely on animals.

“Octopuses and animal busts are among my favourite things to create”, she says.

To date, Stephanie has made about 160 trash sculptures.

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