Metal is often seen as a cold and hard medium, not something that an artist would use to create live and free expressions. However, British artist Penny Hardy blew away all norms in her life-size metal sculptures of the human body made using discarded machinery, each one exploring an emotion or experience. As the Devon-based artist explained, “By using discarded man-made metal items—which have been so skillfully made and used to create their own mechanical energy—I hope to extend their life in another form, re-use that energy for a different purpose, and exchange their function to create a new entity.”
Hardy is a trained scientific illustrator who decided to transfer her strong connection to the natural and human landscape into sculpture. “The sense of movement and dynamics within sculpture provides it with its own life and vitality,” Hardy added. She chose to use metal machinery parts because they were made to be resilient and strong, yet thrown away at the slightest hint of failure. Hardy felt that these imperfect pieces should be recycled to show some of the machinery’s effects on our lives and the environment.
“While these pieces convey personal emotions relating to my own particular experiences,” Hardy says, “the sculptures are not exclusive and I hope many viewers will be able to relate to those feelings and effects and see how the piece can represent for them.”
Hardy creates privately commissioned artwork for clients across the globe. She has also exhibited throughout the UK. Most recently, she’s displayed her striking work at the Beaulieu Palace and Gardens earlier this year. Scroll down to see.
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Penny Hardy: Website | Facebook
