Material

Bicycle parts

By

Made in

Recyclable 145 Recycled 151 Glass 7 Metal 6 Wood 15

Bicycle parts
Bicycle parts
Bicycle parts
Bicycle parts
Bicycle parts
Bicycle parts

Photos: Owusu Ross Junior

An Untitled country

"An Untitled Country is a collaborative project by Ross and Back Alley Bikes, reimagining discarded bicycle parts, tubes, and tires into sculptural and wall-based artworks. Sourced from trashed bicycles, local repair shops, and community donations, the materials are deconstructed and reassembled by Ross to explore themes of ownership, displacement, and cultural integration within the context of diaspora migration.

The project centres on the concept of ownership specifically, what it means to claim something that has been discarded and transformed. Bicycle parts, symbols of movement and travel, represent the migrant experience, where individuals are forced to rebuild their identities and histories in new environments. By reclaiming these materials, He mirrors the migrant’s journey of reconstructing self and belonging in a world of displacement. The project asks: who owns what is found and remade?

The materials; tires, tubes, and parts are transformed into intricate sculptures and wall art. Symbolising the cyclical nature of migration and the constant movement between home and new spaces, the emotional and psychological journey of balancing one’s cultural roots with the demands of assimilation."

Making process

"When Ross rides or drives through Detroit, he often encounters discarded bicycles, left to deteriorate in corners, public bike lots, and abandoned spaces. He finds himself questioning: Wasn’t this bicycle once cherished, ridden with pride, and used to traverse the roads with joy? Seeing these bikes in such a state of neglect makes him reflect on the transience of all things, including life itself. As an African, Ross holds a special connection to the bicycle, seeing it as more than just a mode of transport. For him, it represents freedom, joy, and a deeply personal connection to his roots. To see these bicycles abandoned is akin to watching his childhood memories fade away. He often tells others that he would choose a bicycle over a car, valuing it as a reliable, self-propelled object that offers a unique sense of personal freedom and direction.

On holidays and during scheduled appointments, Ross hauls bicycles and their parts into his studio to reflect on their journeys and question their ownership. He begins the process by deconstructing the bicycles, stripping them of essential parts that will form the core of the project. These parts are carefully separated, labelled, and prepared to be reassembled in new forms. Ross often engages with local riders, asking them what the bicycle means to them, and the rich stories shared by these individuals become woven into the reinvention of the parts within his studio.

The process of transformation begins with the tires, which are woven into abstract patterns, and the tubes, which are cut into strips and twisted into organic shapes. These shapes reflect the tension and adaptability that migrants must develop as they navigate new environments. The resulting artwork becomes a unified canvas, embodying both memory and movement. Once completed, the pieces are ready to be exhibited in public spaces, continuing the conversation about migration, adaptation, and identity.

An essential part of the process is sourcing the bicycles from dumpsters, building corners, and discarded lots, furthering the conversation about the African language of labour, survival, self-discovery, and adaptation. By reclaiming these materials, Ross highlights the potential for transformation, showing that what lies in waste can be a powerful symbol for change, spoken by all. The collaboration with Back Alley Bikes emphasises the theme of reclamation, as the organisation provides the raw materials for Ross’s work. By transforming these discarded parts, An Untitled Country becomes a reflection on the broader process of rebuilding identity, shedding light on the complexities of migration and the negotiation of belonging in a constantly shifting world.

Ross’s goal as an artist is to expand the conversation around the African migrant experience and the often-silenced stories of those living overseas. Through this project, he creates a canvas for reflection one that evokes resilience, adaptation, and the affirmation of cultural identity. An Untitled Country is a space where the artist and his audience can explore the journey of rebuilding one’s identity while claiming and preserving one’s true culture and heritage."

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.

Ingredients

Bicycle tires, tubes, wood, glass bottles, metal and bungee cables