Hay Hampers has officially opened four reconverted shipping containers into works of art. The event is part of their celebrations for the company’s 35-year anniversary in the hamper industry.

The containers, which were previously used for commercial transactions on the oceans and got rusted and dented over time, have provided a blank canvas of big size to a couple of Italian students, who gave them a new life.

Once refurbished, cleaned and decorated, the four recycled containers are now ready to house additional storage space in time for the busiest time of the company at Christmas.

Gabriele Da Re, Managing Director at Hay Hampers explains:

"We found that the containers were too intriguing and handy to be demolished so we opted for a more sustainable conclusion, i.e. to reuse them highlighting their beauty. We were approached by two Italian students and it was done!”

The 18 year-old Italian girl, Anita Giacomin, and the 17-year-old boy, Edoardo Barriviera, came to the UK with an European scholarship to improve their English and with the intention to create and showcase a piece of artwork.

Elisabeth Och, Marketing Director at Hay Hampers comments:

"Sea imports and exports create a link with other cultures and the containers catalyse this connection, which is exactly our ethos as a ‘gifts for everyone’ company. With their hard work and paintings, Anita and Edoardo perfectly interpreted this ethos and our passion for speciality food, which has the power to bring everyone together".

Shipping containers are so versatile and practical that they have lately been used for a variety of purposes in affordable architecture, from homes and garden sheds, to pop-up restaurants and backyard offices. In addition to this, they are more and more used also to create real pieces of artwork.