Shimmering Metallic Branches “Grow” To Form Elegant Animal Sculptures

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Twigs and branches create spectacular trees and highlight the power and beauty of the natural world. Using that same concept, artist Kang Dong Hyun produces awe-inspiring animal sculptures that are born from these types of complex systems. With the visual motif of branches and pathways, the Korean creative forms bodies and facial features that resemble lions, bears, moose, and more.

There is a dichotomy at play in Kang’s work. Although the artist uses natural forms, the stainless steel finish is visible to the viewer. This combines branches, something inherent to the earth, with manmade manufacturing and visually makes them one and the same. The other combination in the work—animals as twigs—suggests a oneness as well. Human, animal, tree: all life on this planet is intimately connected.

Scroll down to see some of Kang’s latest pieces. Then, follow the artist on Instagram to see what they're creating next.

Artist Kang Dong Hyun creates metal animal sculptures from complex networks of twigs and branches.

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Animal Sculpture by Kang Dong Hyun

Kang Dong Hyun: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Kang Dong Hyun.

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
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