Larger Than Life Lion Sculpture Made from Hand-Cut Steel Weighs Over 700 Pounds

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Istanbul-based sculptor Selçuk Yılmaz creates larger than life, three-dimensional animal sculptures from thin strands of hammered and welded metal. His latest work—titled Kali—takes the form of a majestic lion sculpture, whose ferocious features include a flowing mane and muscular physique. Every inch is made from meticulously placed pieces of steel in various textures.

With a length of approximately 11.5 feet, the incredible artwork weighs 772 pounds, making it Yılmaz’s largest sculpture to date. By hand-cutting, hammering, and welding each metallic component himself in his studio, Yılmaz is able to exercise complete control and add many precise and intricate details.

The beast’s kingly mane is made from various lengths of steel that have been sculpted into lustrous, thin wisps and curled metal strands. The body is made from solid steel shapes, welded together to depict the lion’s powerful, muscular frame. Kali’s fierce face is made from—what looks like—hundreds of thin metal strands that mimic the natural flow of a lion’s fur, while his sharp steel teeth gleam menacingly.

You can see more of Yılmaz’s impressive work on Instagram and Behance.

Artist Selçuk Yılmaz has outdone himself with his latest lion sculpture boasting ferocious features that include a flowing mane and muscular physique.

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Every inch of this massive beast is made from hand-cut pieces of steel in various textures.

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Selçuk Yılmaz: Instagram | Behance
h/t: [Twisted Sifter]

All images via Selçuk Yılmaz.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Staff Writer and Video Editor at My Modern Met. She earned a BA in Fashion and Textile Design at the University of Ulster in Belfast. Originally from Northern Ireland, she lived in Berlin for many years, where she fostered a career in the arts, dabbling in everything from illustration and animation to music and ceramics. She now calls Edinburgh home, where she continues to work as a writer, illustrator, and ceramicist. Her ceramics, often combined with hand-painted animation frames, capture playful scenes that celebrate freedom and movement, and blend her passion for art with storytelling. Her illustrations have been featured in The Berliner Magazine as well as other print magazines and a poetry book.
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