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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Surreal Animal Sculptures Made of Metallic Branches Pay Homage to the Gifts of Nature

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Surreal Animal Sculptures Fuse the Intricate Beauty of Earth with Untamed Beasts

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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