Categories: Recycled Art

Cement Mixer Becomes Upcycled Clanker Robot Sculpture

It all started with a broken-down cement mixer! And after much brain-wracking, an idea developed. How my Clanker Robot Sculpture evolved was totally down to what I could find around the workshop. I used old propane tanks, old MIG-welding cylinders, steel tubing scraps and petrol cans.

How I made my Clanker Robot Sculpture:

I assembled the sculpture using things I found around me, and by simply holding bits here and there, trying to get a vision. The robot sculpture looked like it had been through a battle already since most items used were upcycled! The cement mixer set the theme for the project, and at that point, I did make a sketch. “Clanker, the broken war robot, back from a mission” was born. So I set to cutting, welding, cutting, and more welding!

This Clanker Robot Sculpture isn’t just static; it’s kinetic!

Early on I decided to make this a kinetic sculpture, as the mixer still rotated. This became the cam which flicks and clanks the arms and head, simulating malfunctions. He was finished off with a spray coat of gray, which I mixed from paint remnants, then I added the decals and an all-important can of “Robot Rum” restoration tonic.I have to say; I wasn’t feeling this one until quite late on after the first coat of paint. This can be the way with recycled materials being a myriad of different colors; they can look a bit scrappy so that finishes can be important. Strangely, I feel for Clanker now. He has a downbeat, sorrowful look about him. It’s evident he really has been through some hard times.

Here’s my initial drawing of my robot sculpture. I based the design on the cement mixer that I used as the torso of the robot.
Everybody needs a bit of restoration tonic, right?
This large sculpture can keep you looking for hours, having fun identifying all the bits and pieces used to create him.

Check out this other metal sculpture ShopDog by Streettrendz! Here’s more beautiful integrated sculpture – a gorgeous Snook Fish.

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