Bengaluru Artist Transforms 2000 Kg of E-Waste into Global Art

At 64, Bengaluru's Vishwanath Mallabadi Davangere is transforming discarded electronics into intricate art. He has successfully upcycled two tonnes (2000 kg) of e-waste, turning old computer parts into sculptures, jewellery, and robots. Davangere, who pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Art despite his father D M Shambhu's wish for him to become a doctor, continued his artistic passion even while working as a senior executive at Wipro.

During his time at Wipro, Davangere dedicated his free time and weekends to experimenting with electronic scrap, aiming to develop unique creations. His early efforts involved making small animals from discarded gadget parts, an activity he started for fun. As he became more aware of the environmental implications of e-waste, his focus shifted towards creating larger murals and sculptures. After retiring from Wipro, he fully dedicated himself to his passion, establishing a business that gives discarded electronics a second life.

To date, Vishwanath has created over 1,000 artworks from electronic waste, including sculptures, wall art, jewellery, birds, flowers, and robots. Notable creations include a six-foot sculpture crafted entirely from computer keyboard keys and a landscape inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, meticulously assembled using electronic resistors on wood. The creation process varies significantly, taking just two to three minutes for a piece of jewellery, but weeks or even months for complex sculptures, as each component requires careful study and imagination.

His unique artworks have garnered international attention, finding buyers in Europe, the Netherlands, the United States, and within India, specifically Delhi. By upcycling two tonnes of e-waste and producing more than 1,000 distinct pieces, Davangere continues to demonstrate the profound potential for discarded materials to find new purpose and beauty.

Why it matters: This initiative highlights creative solutions to the growing challenge of electronic waste, turning pollution into art.

Editor's note: The article accurately captures all key biographical, professional, and artistic details provided in the source text.