# Bathroom Refuse Masterpieces Yuken Teruya's Stunning Carved Toilet Paper Rolls By Michael Plishka | Published 2009-03-12 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eco-art-yuken-teruyas-carved-toiler-paper-rolls References: [apartmenttherapy](http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-yuken-teruyas-toilet-roll-art-076759) & [yukenteruyastudio](http://www.yukenteruyastudio.com/en/projects/) When we get to the end of the roll of toilet paper, we tend to think of it as just a cardboard tube destined for the recycle bin. Okinawan born artist Yuken Teruya has something else in mind: Art. His charter is to “...explore issues such as the growing consumerism of contemporary society, depleting natural resources and other problems associated with globalism, including the threat it poses to localized cultural traditions and identities,” all by carving up everyday objects-like toilet paper roles. Yet, he does not want to his art to be viewed solely as speaking to the problems of the world. According to Teruya, “My works have a right to simply be beautiful or offer any kind of attraction.” And that they do... ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Upcycled Art:** Creating art from everyday objects, such as toilet paper rolls, to promote sustainability. - **Critiquing Consumerism:** Using art to address the problems of consumerism and its impact on the environment. - **Globalism and Local Culture:** Exploring the tension between globalism and the preservation of localized cultural traditions through art. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art and Design:** Opportunities for artists to create innovative works by repurposing ordinary objects. - **Sustainability:** Innovations in sustainable practices and materials for the art world. - **Cultural Preservation:** Demand for initiatives that promote and preserve cultural traditions in the face of globalization. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Festive Bamboo Tissues Papers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stackatree.md) - [Illuminated Public Artful Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiroo-east-park.md) - [Origami-Inspired Porcelain Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saori-matsushita.md) - [Enclosed Japanese Park Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toiletowa.md) - [Endless Toilet Paper Rolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forevr-roll.md) - [Compressed Toilet Paper Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bambox.md) - [Repurposed Wooden Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darren-appiagyei.md) - [Cardboard-Inspired Ceramic Household Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-collection.md) - [Surrealist Beauty Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toiletpaper-magazine.md)