Turning MetroCards into works of art

BROOKLYN (WABC) -- Juan Carlos Pinto is an artist who has been working for a dozen years in New York, and he has an unusual way of bringing his artwork to life.

"I try to portray people who give you inspiration to be a better person," Pinto said.

It's not until you're closest to a Juan Carlos Pinto original collage that you realize that the art is created using pieces of MetroCards.

Unique as the work of this Guatemalan-born artist is, it's the use of MetroCard as medium which is truly unique.

The idea came in a moment of desperation when he didn't have the money to pay the fare.

"Yes that day they raised the prices and I get caught (jumping the turnstiles). I don't know. I was angry," he said.

So he began picking up discarded cards, piecing them together as protest.

"That reaction became my bread and butter. I'm paying my rent with this," Pinto said.

Using a scissors, a glue stick and the MetroCard, Carlos pieces together his work.

His work stems from much larger mosaics that he has created. It represents the people and the culture of Brooklyn to be enjoyed by the same people.

His other work is being displayed at the Bishop Gallery and is even for sale.

To learn more visit bishoponbedford.com and JuanCarlosPinto.com