In a sprawling workshop on the outskirts of Islamabad, sparks fly as Pakistani artist Ehtisham Jadoon turns discarded car parts into towering sculptures inspired by movies, dinosaurs, and beasts.
At 35, Jadoon has gained attention for his enormous creations, including a 14-foot (4-meter) Optimus Prime, a roaring steel lion, and a giant Tyrannosaurus rex, all crafted from scrap metal such as cogs, chains, hubcaps, and engine parts.
Crafting Giants from Scrap
Jadoon, a former martial artist, approaches metalwork without formal art training. He designs his pieces spontaneously, visualising the final form from blocks of scrap before assembling them.
- Optimus Prime: Motorbike springs and gears form the arms, car rims curve into shoulders, fuel tanks mold the spine, and chains and suspension parts shape the knees. Even the piercing eyes are fashioned from vehicle bearings.
- Each sculpture is painstakingly built over months of welding, bending, and warping metal, with more than 90% of materials sourced from discarded vehicles.
“Whenever I see an object, I visualise a form,” Jadoon told AFP. “I could imagine a block transforming into a shape, so I simply solve the puzzle and bring it to life.”
This photograph, taken on December 29, 2025, shows sculptor Ehtisham Jadoon standing next to his creation made from scrap metal, a lion with a mane of twisted steel, at his studio on the outskirts of Islamabad. — AFP
Turning Waste into Art
Jadoon’s creations reflect power and aggression, with anatomy and proportions carefully set through repeated adjustments and multi-angle visualization. He frequently visits scrapyards across Islamabad to find pieces that match his vision.
Scrapyard owner Bostan Khan remarked, “What is waste to us becomes something valuable in his hands. It’s incredible to witness.”
Despite the risks of sparks and burns from weekly welding sessions, Jadoon remains dedicated to his craft, viewing it as the only way to channel the energy from his martial arts training into art.
His colossal metal sculptures now stand as a testament to creativity, resilience, and the transformative power of imagination.
