“Kraftwerk” Welded Steel Sculpture József Szabó Trash Works Industrial 2024

Kraftwerk is a unique welded metal sculpture created in 2024 by Hungarian artist József Szabó, founder of Trash Works Industrial.

The work presents a striking human head constructed from intersecting, bent and welded elements of metal. Rather than modeling the head as a continuous solid mass, Szabó allows the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, jaw and cranium to emerge through the interaction of metal and the open spaces between its individual elements.

This open construction is fundamental to the sculpture. From certain viewpoints, the intersecting strips and plates resolve into a clearly recognizable human face; from others, the image partially dissolves and the underlying construction itself comes to the foreground. The surrounding space remains visible through the head, while light penetrates its structure, continuously altering the character of the face and the shadows cast by the sculpture.

Szabó deliberately retains the physical evidence of fabrication. Weld beads and seams, cut edges, grinding marks, oxidation and areas of bronze, gold, blue and violet heat coloration create a remarkably rich, at times almost painterly surface. The raw character of the industrial material remains visible, yet the assembled elements collectively form an unexpectedly expressive human presence.

Kraftwerk is particularly representative of an important aspect of Szabó's sculptural language: construction is not concealed behind the finished form. The viewer perceives both the human head and the welded metal structure from which that image has been created.

József Szabó is a Hungarian metal sculptor and founder of Trash Works Industrial. He began developing his sculptural practice in 2019, drawing upon an earlier background in metalworking, machinery and custom motorcycle construction. His works frequently incorporate discarded machine and vehicle components, steel, aluminum and other found industrial materials. Rather than concealing their original character, wear, oxidation and traces of fabrication, Szabó incorporates these qualities into the visual language of the finished work. His practice occupies the intersection of contemporary figurative sculpture, assemblage and found-object art. His sculptures have been presented in exhibitions in Hungary, and he is currently listed among the artists of Cure Gallery in Budapest.