Artist Transforms Giant Concrete Blocks Into Designer Handbags

IN THE dry and abandoned desert of Eastern Oregon, USA, the last thing you’d expect to find is giant designer handbags

Scroll down for the full story

A giant concrete Gucci handbag stands in the abandoned site

Guerrilla Artist ’Thrashbird’ has transformed smashed concrete blocks into giant replicas of iconic brands’ purses, such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

This concrete block is decorated with the Fendi pattern

Using paint, discarded wood, old tyres and bits of rope, the LA-based street artist spent weeks transforming these abandoned eye-sores into objects of desire and beauty.

This piece has a Dior keychain hanging from its handle

Working under the blistering Eastern Oregon sun, Thrashbird spent a day creating each bag.

This blue designer bag even has stud detailing

After stumbling across the abandoned site three years ago, the artist felt it would make a great statement about sustainability and our attachment to high-price objects.

A replica of the iconic quilted Chanel bag complete with handle made out of tyres

Burberry's distinctive pattern was painted onto this concrete block

Thrashbird said: “Every day we pass abandoned, condemned buildings, I see an opportunity to breathe beauty into the breakdown.

This block shows off the Alexander McQueen logo

"All around us are the forgotten decaying structures of the Industrial Age. I want to bring those places to life again by adding some color and ideas.”

This concrete bag is unmistakably Louis Vuitton

The handbags have received a mostly positive response, and fans of the work have traveled from as far as Seattle, Portland and Salt Lake City, to see the giant-sized creations.

The only negative response the artist has received is from a number of homeless people who were startled when they woke up to find their local surroundings being painted in such a bizarre manner.