Sculptor Shares His Deep Love of the Ocean by Recreating It in Glass and Concrete

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Artist Ben Young has a deep connection to the ocean. Having grown up in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, he has been around the water his entire life. Although he eventually moved towards sculpture, he began his career as a boat builder. The process-driven profession served him well; as an artist, he now works in a compelling combination of glass and concrete to create pieces that recall the deep beauty of the sea while using a minimalistic aesthetic to honor his chosen materials.

We have marveled over Young’s work in the past. Often, his glass sculptures have included metal figures or other small items that signify the sea, such as boats or palm trees. But as he continues to develop his portfolio, his sculptures begin to enter the realm of the otherworldly. Mountains of concrete are punctuated with circular glass as if the blue material were some giant orb on another planet. The unexplored lands feel in line with Young’s overall body of work, but it appears that we're sailing further from the shore as he explores new ideas and continues to refine his visual language.

Scroll down for some of Young’s latest works. Then, learn more about his background and creative process in our interview with him on the My Modern Met Top Artist podcast.

Artist Ben Young creates minimalist sculptures from glass and concrete that are inspired by his love of the sea.

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Some of his works feel like they're depicting water that's out of this world.

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Glass and Concrete Sculpture by Ben Young

Ben Young: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Ben Young.

Related Articles:

New Layered Glass Sculptures Capture the Depth and Beauty of the Ocean

New Hand-Cut Layered Glass Sculptures of Ocean Waves by Ben Young

New Ocean-Inspired, Hand-Cut, Layered Glass Sculptures by Ben Young

New Layered Glass Ocean Sculptures Capture the Spirit of the Sea

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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