My 17 Steampunk Sculptures Created From Scrap

The animal world is so diverse and unique that I can’t help but take something from it as my subject. This time it was the frog that caught my attention. A fuel tank from a motorized bicycle became the main part of the frog’s body. The other parts also did their job in making the frog look like a frog metal. I’m happy with the result.

Parts used:

Body – motorized bicycle fuel tank

Hind legs – bicycle gear change mechanisms, bicycle brake levers

Front legs – road bicycle handlebars, bicycle brake levers, clothes hangers

Head – trumpet part, bicycle mudguard, lamp parts

Dimensions: 28x32x30 cm

Year: 2020

The shape of the item gives me the idea of creating or finding inspiration. The final image comes to fruition when the right one is in your hands. After hours of fine-tuning, the result is born. I didn’t make the kind of whale we’re used to seeing – I wanted something unexpected and unusual that would make people stop and think. Steampunk style allows you to do that. It is open to fantasy and surprises: the livelier the imagination, the more interesting the final result. When you look at the sculpture, you have mixed feelings. It’s like a whale and a ship in one. That’s what I wanted to achieve.

Dimensions: 48x46x50 cm

Year: 2020

I saw two Harley Davidson chrome fenders at a scrapyard. The rear fender was really wide and immediately reminded me of a catfish’s open mouth. I was already creating a catfish sculpture in my head. My vision didn’t fail me – it came out graceful and, of course, big… It’s a catfish as old as I am, so it’s no surprise that its vision is a little weak, especially in the right eye…

Parts used:

Body – parts of a washing machine drum and a Harley Davidson rear fender

Tail – bicycle lamp housing, part of an antique washing board

Fins – old golf iron heads

Head – part of a Harley Davidson rear fender, chrome fruit bowl, ladle, hubcap, furniture handle

Dimensions: 45x50x100 cm

Year:2020

The theme of the piece was dictated by the amazing shape of a vacuum cleaner. It’s an old Russian Chaika vacuum cleaner, produced back in 1970. It was the shape of the housing that determined the implementation of the vision. The selection of parts helped make the work look aesthetic and original while also inspiring a smile. I believe that unexpected decisions always evoke great emotions. I always think about that when I’m working. The strangest and most original decision was to use a stainless steel device used in gynecology. It’s the penguin’s beak. So the steel bird is ready for another routine dive.

Parts used:

Body - of the Russian vacuum cleaner "Chaika," shower hoses

Head- motorcycle lamp housing

Beak - an item used in gynecology

Legs - teeth of outdoor implements, coffee pots, aluminum scoops

Wings - aluminum 2mm sheet metal

Dimensions: 70x30cm

Year: 2019

The praying mantis. A fantastic insect. I created it using Moskvitch tail lights and fragments of bicycles, car radio antennas and other parts that I found. The shape of the praying mantis’s body and its aggressive appearance is very effective and a favorite subject for many artists. It captivated me as well. My favorites are the beetles and insects sculpted by Edouard Martinet. I admire his creativity and his amazing technique. Parts used:

Body – Moskvitch 408 tail light, metal furniture leg, aluminum sheet

Head – Moskvitch 412 turn signal light, radio antennas, bicycle emblem, serving dish

Legs – car antennas, 5 mm rod, bicycle chainring elements, mechanisms from a Raketa vacuum cleaner

Dimensions: 90x37x55 cm

Year: 2020

This is a gigantic ant compared to its natural size. In the pile of scrap metal that I’ve accumulated, I found several aluminum dishes that I put together in descending order and got something that looked a lot like the body of an ant. That is what determined its overall size. The insect came out graceful, though I mounted a torch on its head to make it easier to navigate those mazes of anthill tunnels.

Parts used:

Body – truck lamp housing, lampshades

Tail – truck lamp housing, ceiling lamp shades

Head – car lamp housing, aluminum spoons, curtain rod finial

Legs – aluminum tubes, 5 mm steel wire

Dimensions: 28x75x53 cm

Year: 2019

I noticed this bird because of its astonishingly loud, clear and brash voice, like a trumpet. That’s the only thing that can emulate it perfectly. That’s why I decided to use woodwind instruments to make the crane sculpture. I had purchased an old-fashioned English car horn at a flea market. This was the starting point that everything evolved from. A part from a saxophone was perfect for replicating the crane’s graceful neck. Pay attention to the crane’s beak. This is a thing used in gynecology – I had used one of these for another sculpture as well. Once all of the parts were united into a whole, a nice crane/trumpeter came out.

Parts used:

Body – Rotax Clarion vintage bulb horn, woodwind instrument mouthpiece

Neck – saxophone part

Head – part from a lighting fixture Beak – gynecology instrument 

Legs – car antennas, door keys

Dimensions: 70x20x29 cm

Year: 2020

Knight metal. This is a not typical theme for my works. A glass holder from soviet times suggested the idea that I purchased in a shop of antiques. The holder's shape reminded me of a knight’s armor because the holder was decorated with typical decorations and specific ornaments. I just had to find some waste that would serve as the arms, legs, head and weapon. The weapon, made of earrings, is fascinating. A peculiar coincidence – there already was an inscription “Make love not war” engraved on them. This really suited the chosen topic. I decided to choose unpainted parts for my sculpture. For me, it was important because I wanted to emphasize the shiny image of a knight. His helmet I decorated with feathers, which were made of springs from old watches.

Parts used:

The Armor – a glass holder

The Head – a metal goblet

The Feathers – springs from old watches

The Legs – candlesticks The Weapon – an earing Oval sole – a picture frame

Dimensions: 30x17 cm

Year: 2018

The idea was suggested by the customer. At her request, this was ought to be a picture in a frame. I had the parts necessary for the artwork, so the work did not take long. The main body part is made of a motorcycle engine cover. I installed a compass and a tap there. These details gave additional charm and mood. I used a stainless-steel teapot for the sea diver’s helmet. The body of an old perforator served as legs.

Parts used:

The diver’s body – a motorcycle engine cover

The head - a stainless steel teapot

Hands - aluminum electrical socket body

Legs - electric punch body

Dimensions: 73 x 73 cm

Year: 2018

I want to present a sculpture called "King of the Night." It may seem to me, like many, that he has already been seen somewhere. Not surprisingly, it can be compared somewhat to the bad guy of the HBO series Game of Thrones. When I was creating the sculpture, I kept thinking about it. Of course, I created what I had, so it’s not identical, but similarities can be discovered. I constructed the sculpture and looked for details for about 7 months. It weighs 13kg. And is made of metal only. The main parts range from various motorcycles, scooters and bicycles. I also used old household utensils. The parts are connected with screws and rivets. I didn’t use paint this time because I wanted the work to look original and understandable to everyone. I like it; I hope you like it too.

Parts used:

Body – motorcycle engine guards, scooter engine cylinder, motorcycle rim parts, bicycle brake parts, aluminum dishes

Head – motorcycle and bicycle wheel guards made of aluminum, clock movements, ladle, trumpet valves, etc.

Dimensions: 75 x 55 cm

Year: 2020

If not for the right detail found in a pile of scrap metal, I hardly would have started creating this sculpture. It was a round object with two round holes that looked like eyes. This was the starting point from which construction began. I had to think a lot about how to join parts made of different metals. I used welding and some screws as well as rivets. Using acrylic paint, I gave the robot the color of rusty metal to show that it had laid underground for a long time and now it’s time to break free. When I showed the robot to my son-in-law, a professional programmer who loves electronics, he suggested making it move as he can make it real. We both started enthusiastically creating a plan for what it should look like. Firstly, when you turn on the switch in the eye pit, the red light should turn on and blink for a few seconds, then the other eyeball will rotate, turn your head to the left, then to the right and return to the starting position.  The robot then directs the eye’s gaze to the weapon held in hand and activates its action. According to a pre-written program, a combination of LED lights comes on. The robot is ready to throw a disc and destroy the enemy.

Dimensions: 64x64 cm

Year: 2019

Spiders may cause some people to shudder, but not me. They are nice little arachnids that don’t cause disgust or fear. I had the idea of making a big spider – something you wouldn’t find in the outdoors. I found parts that worked among the household items I already had. I’m happy with the result. The metal spider looks menacing but also cute somehow. I think it looks the best while hanging as if it was waiting for a victim.

Parts used:

Teapot, table lamp shade, metal parts from a lighting fixture, mechanisms from a Raketa vacuum cleaner, etc.

Dimensions: 30x62x60 cm

Year: 2019

I am a regular visitor of scrap metal yards. There I can find different items for my work. This time a turbine attracted me. The first thought that came to my mind was that it could serve as a snail shell, and the body could be perfectly made of an engine cover from an old soviet motorcycle. The parts suggested an idea this must be no ordinary snail, but rather a snail-racer. I even had to install a speedometer and a ringleted metal trumpet issuing an audio signal. I made the head of the snail from two hookah sets. In general, I’ve made a very slowly hurrying racer.

Parts used:

The snail shell – a car turbine, a teapot, parts of a lamp.

The snail body – a motorcycle engine cover

The head – hookah metal part The wheel protection – from a children’s scooter

Dimensions: 35x45x34 cm

Year: 2018

And there again a theme related to the sea depth. I cannot resist the sea inhabitants. This time it is a jellyfish familiar to us due to its strange shape. I accidentally found a cake baking form. It was ideal for creating this sculpture. Of course, a car engine gas emission pipe node served as well. It perfectly fitted under the cap of the jellyfish. For image strengthening, I installed some other devices. One of them shows time, the other – the pressure in the robotic body of the jellyfish. The main device showing the wind strength, rain and even a storm is located in the cap's center. The sculpture may be rotated in the desired direction.

Parts used:

Cake baking form

Car gas emission collector

Watch “Waltham”

Atmosphere pressure gauge

Dimensions: 88 x 36 cm

Year: 2018

So far, this is the most extraordinary idea I have successfully implemented. An old teapot and some oblong-shaped aluminum parts later transformed into a beautiful blooming cactus. I had to use a lot of metal rivets so that they would represent spines. My metal cactus serves a functional purpose as well – it holds a tequila bottle inside. A special green fabric case has been made for this purpose.

Dimensions: 40 x 30 cm

Year: 2018

Before creating something, I often make a sketch, but not on paper – in my mind. I sift through all the parts I have in my head and put them together – incorporating them or rejecting them – until I reach a tangible image. I often use parts from cars, motorcycles and bicycles in my work. They help to get the desired shape. This sculpture is no exception. I created it using GAZ truck lamp housings and parts from a JAWA motorcycle and a MAN cab. The result is excellent. I managed to convey the animal’s playful yet careless appearance thanks to the amazing parts and colors. I left them original. I can already see a smile on your face. That’s always what I’m after.

Parts used:

Body – JAWA motorcycle fuel tank, engine cover

Arms – JAWA shock absorbers, Audi and Volkswagen brake calipers

Legs – truck headlight housings, motorcycle spark plugs

Head– two identical parts from a MAN cab, Zhiguli turn signal lights

Dimensions: 50x52x40 cm

Year: 2019

I created this sculpture using antiques made of metal. Some of them are very old, used as far back as the mid-20th century. A wide variety of subjects dominates my work. They are dictated by the shapes of the already used household items, which transform into the characters created in my imagination. This flower seems to be from the past and symbolizes beauty as eternity. Parts used:

Flower stem – part of a bronze candlestick, a brass part from a shower hose

Leaves – used copper vessel for flowers

Bud – brass door handle

Blossom – ceramic chandelier part, apart from a clock

Flowerpot – bronze apothecary mortar

Dimensions: 56x22x22 cm

Year: 2019