Clay modeler turns steel sculptor in new exhibition

A GM Holden clay modeler who has used his skills to transform scrap metal into over 400 works of art will display his creations at an new exhibition in Melbourne, Australia.  

Jamie Schena, whose sculptures will be displayed in his ‘Mechanisation' show at custom bike shop Gasolina, sold his first artwork in 2001 after starting to sculpt models from bits of scrap metal lying around his father's workshop. After helping to rebuild engines and design farm machinery in his family's mechanical and engineering business, he moved to Melbourne to study Industrial Design at Monash University.

Holden handpicked him from his class for a placement in its design department, where he decided he'd feel more comfortable getting his hands dirty with clay than sitting in front of the tube. 

Speaking to Car Design News, Schena explained, "The exhibition title really sums up my work as I enjoy building sculptures from old automotive mechanical parts and giving these discarded objects new life. Working with steel has been second nature for as long as I can remember."

His pieces, which include a 1937 Bugatti, a Porsche 911 and Rolls-Royce Phantom 11, are all individualized and he's often commissioned to sculpt specific designs. Our favorites are the savage-looking, Transformer-like robots, which would look great in the CDN office.

Schena believes his steel sculpting and clay modeling day job at Holden complement each other, as working with both media allows him to improve his hands-on ability and eye for detail. 

"I have a very kinaesthetic approach to my work as I manipulate steel though welding, grinding and sanding until I am satisfied with the result," he says. "My vision for the future remains strong as I look to inspire others through my passion of industrial art."

The exhibition opens on 11 October and runs for two weeks, and if you go along you might be lucky enough to win one of two sculptures.

Visit his website to check out more of his unique creations.

By Rufus Thompson