These Charmingly Steampunk Animals Are Created From Scrap Metal And Imagination

When artist Igor Verniy sees scrap metal, he sees not junk, but a world of possibility. Once a student of mechanical engineering, Verniy took his knowledge of machinery and fabrication and turned it into an artistic trade, creating charming, unique animals and fantasy creatures from old bike chains, silverware and all kinds of scrap metal. Not only are the results charming in a steampunk sort of way, they’re also impressive feats of engineering; all are fully articulated and can be moved and posed.

The sculptures are nothing short of charming, not only for their appearance, but from the way the scrap metal, much of which bears the marks of use and wear, are recycled lovingly into these imaginative creatures. The bolts and mechanical elements could be used to create a sense of unnatural foreboding, but in Verniy’s hands, the materials become reminiscent of antique clockwork toys with jeweled details. There’s also something to be said for creating friendly-looking (for the most part) toys from old metal scrap, and bringing new life into something that would have been otherwise thrown away.

These are just a sampling of Verniy’s work. You can see the rest of his creatures on his Facebook and VK pages, and he has a small, but growing, Etsy shop.

Via Colossal