From scrapyards to giants: Pakistani artist builds towering metal sculptures

On the outskirts of Islamabad, artist Ehtisham Jadoon is transforming discarded vehicle parts into massive metal sculptures inspired by dinosaurs and characters from popular films.

Inside his workshop, piles of chains, gears, hubcaps and engine components surround hulking creations, including a lion formed from twisted steel, a towering Tyrannosaurus rex, and a giant Optimus Prime. Jadoon said he has long been captivated by metal and often envisions what a scrap piece could become before he starts assembling it.

He recently completed a roughly 14-foot Optimus Prime—his biggest project so far—after months of work with his team. Jadoon said more than 90% of the sculpture came from old vehicle parts, with springs and gears repurposed for limbs, rims shaped into shoulder pieces, and other salvaged components adapted to fit the figure’s structure and details.

Jadoon, a former martial artist who previously worked in steel fabrication, said he never studied art formally and develops his designs organically as he works. The process is physically demanding, and he told AFP that he often needs medical check-ups due to flying sparks and burns, but he insists this is the kind of work where he can fully channel his energy.

He said his art typically focuses on oversized beasts and powerful forms, which he associates with aggression and strength. Building them, he added, requires repeated adjustments and visualising anatomy and proportions from multiple angles.

Each week, Jadoon visits scrapyards across Islamabad, searching through tons of discarded metal for pieces that match what he has in mind. A scrapyard owner, Bostan Khan, said it is striking to see unwanted waste turned into something valuable through Jadoon’s imagination and craftsmanship.