Yusuf Seidu Okus turns soft plastics and aluminium foil into exhibitions, workshops, and new friendships across the city
Through his organisation, Unique Lifestyle Arts Ltd, Yusuf runs workshops and exhibitions that connect young people and asylum seekers across Coventry. His practice focuses on recycling and upcycling materials to create collages and artworks, with the process itself becoming a space for conversation and support.
“We use versatile various materials, clean them and create pieces to showcase,” Yusuf said.
During school holidays and half-term breaks, Yusuf has been working with young people who might otherwise be idle. Some of their work was later exhibited at the Herbert Art Gallery.
“During school holidays or half term most young people are idle and that is not good. I engaged with some of them to create pieces which were later exhibited at Herbert Art Gallery,” he said.
He described the shift he often sees in the room as the sessions progress. “At the start everyone was quiet, and to themselves. As we progressed young people started opening up to one another. There was peace and relaxed,” Yusuf said.
Yusuf has installed exhibitions and live demonstrations using plastics at venues including LTB Coventry, the Herbert Art Gallery, Fargo Village, and Warwick Arts Centre.
“Not everyone has stepped their foot in these spaces. People new to Coventry have a chance to feel the environment they are in as people living in Coventry,” he said.
He has also worked on-site at local Amazon premises. As part of World Recycling Day 2026, he performed a live demo and installation at Amazon BHS4 on 18 March 2026.
Yusuf also took part in this year’s Global Earth Day, beginning with workshops followed by an exhibition on 23–24 April at Central Hall. Other recent showings include the CASE exhibition by the Coventry and Warwickshire Society of Artists. An ongoing group exhibition titled "Random" is currently running at LTB Coventry.
Unique Lifestyle Arts Ltd continues to run workshops aimed at reducing isolation and supporting mental health through creative practice.
His work also extends to collaborations with grassroots organisations such as Coventry Asylum and Refugee Action Group (CARAG) and the Inini Initiative (both of which focus on community wellbeing for migrants, including refugees.)
“Getting the community involved helps them to occupy their minds, to socialise, helps them to understand each other and helps with integration,” Yusuf concluded.
Migrants including refugees and allies continue to demand dignity, justice and fairness for all.
