Metal whale in industrial design (AI) (humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, steampunk, sea, rust)

by Natalie Bruns

This artwork depicts a majestic whale built from a motley collection of rusty bolts, nuts, chains, gears and metal plates. At a first glance, you see the whale's recognisable contours, but it is only on closer inspection that you discover how meticulously placed each part is: the ridges of the throat are made up of metal springs, the eye appears to be composed of a ring and screw, and even the fins contain subtle perforations reminiscent of the texture of real sea animal skin.

The colour palette of weathered rust tones on a weathered blue-green surface gives this work a powerful industrial look. It evokes an atmosphere that is at once tough and robust, but also contains a subtle reference to the ocean where whales belong. It feels cool and powerful rather than warm, and exudes a certain masculinity through its materials and composition.

It's as if someone went by the scrap yard to collect as many metal parts as possible, and puzzled endlessly to create this whale from them. Not everything had to be realistic. It is precisely the playful puzzling and combining that makes this work unique.

This work of art fits perfectly in a mancave, an industrial loft, or an interior where tough materials and design take centre stage. This is also a real eye-catcher for lovers of the ocean or recycling art.

The work is part of a series of six artworks in this style: a racing bike, rod fish with lamp, dragon, fisherman, lion and whale.

My love for materials and reusing things inspired me to create this series using AI. Art in which old metal gets a new story.