Ivorian artist turns discarded flip-flops from beach into masterpieces

The artist transforms the flotsam into artworks valued at up to USD 1,000 by cutting the rubber and plastic soles into pieces that he assembles into large collages.

As Ivorian artist Aristide Kouame combs the beach with a big trash bag to gather discarded flip-flops and other footwear, he is aware that other beachgoers probably take him for a desperate street trader or possibly a madman. Little do they know that Kouame, 26, transforms the flotsam into artworks valued at up to USD 1,000 by cutting the rubber and plastic soles into pieces that he assembles into large collages.