Saharan refugees learn how to spin old plastic bottles into gold

London’s Victoria & Albert Museum just wrapped a stunning show of Arab-influenced artwork from ten contemporary artists selected as finalists for year’s Jameel Prize – 3. The work of French designer Florie Salnot is a standout as it quite literally creates something spectacular from near nothing.

Salnot works in social, service and “user experience” (or UX) design; she uses art as a medium to improve lives, strengthen individual and cultural confidence, and foster independent living. Her Project Gold ticks all three boxes, with direct benefit to Algeria’s Sahrawi refugees.

Sahrawi refugees in Tindouf, Algeria, represent one of the most protracted refugee crises in the world. They live in a collection of camps established as far back as 1975 when they first fled Moroccan forces during the Western Sahara War.

Limited economic opportunities in the harsh desert environment have forced their reliance on international humanitarian aid for survival, but camp life is so mature (many residents were camp-born) that refugees self-manage their communities with little outside interference.

Cognizant of the spartan camp resources, Salnot devised a craft the women could practice using the simplest tools, hot sand and spray paint – transforming old plastic bottles into spectacular jewelry based on their own designs.

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Saharan refugees learn how to spin old plastic bottles into gold