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The King of Sustainability, Michael Shellis

June – September 2026, in the Benjamin Franklin Room

A striking portrait of His Majesty The King, created entirely from reclaimed and natural materials, is on display at the Royal Society of Arts.

Part of the Royal Collection, the work has been lent by The King for public display and is exhibited in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the House.

Created by Texan artist Michael Shellis in collaboration with social entrepreneur Taz Khan MBE, founder of London’s Community Kitchen, the artwork is constructed from salvaged wood, discarded materials, fallen petals and flowers collected from London’s Royal Parks, and organic dyes made from coffee waste.

Inspired by His Majesty’s long-standing environmental philosophy, including the ideas explored in his book Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World, the portrait transforms reclaimed materials into a work of beauty and meaning. Through themes of circularity, stewardship and creativity, it invites visitors to reconsider waste as a source of dignity, value and renewal.

A detailed mixed-media portrait of an King Charles in a suit, with textured materials forming his face. The background glows with gold and purple dried leaves,.

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A person in white pyjamas holding a cup of coffee lies on a bed with polka dot bedding, reaching out to a Dalmatian dog. The edge of a geometric black-and-white patterned floor is visible.

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Kwame in a suit speaks at a lectern in a large, ornate room at the RSA (Royal Society for the Arts), with classical paintings on the walls and an audience seated below.