BAHRAM ASHOFTEH

Bahram Ashofteh is an Iranian self-taught sculptor known for transforming discarded automotive and industrial components into detailed figurative sculptures. Working with gears, chains, springs, pistons, bearings, brake components, and other mechanical fragments, he reorganizes materials associated with machinery and waste into recognizable animal and human forms.

Reclaimed metal is central to Ashofteh’s practice, while some works also combine metal components with natural wood. His process involves selecting, cleaning, arranging, welding, and assembling individual parts so that their original mechanical characteristics remain visible within the completed sculpture. Rather than concealing the materials’ previous functions, he incorporates their shapes and textures into the anatomy and structure of each figure.

Animals are a recurring subject in his work, including horses, rams, birds, and other creatures. Large-scale pieces can require several months to complete because of the number of individual components and the complexity of their construction. Alongside three-dimensional sculpture, Ashofteh has also developed metal relief portraits, expanding his use of industrial materials into more image-based compositions.

His use of reclaimed materials also connects the work to ideas of recycling and environmental responsibility. This relationship was highlighted in his 2021 solo exhibition Recycling and Environment in Istanbul, which presented animal sculptures created through recycling and welding techniques. By repositioning discarded components within artworks, Ashofteh gives materials intended for disposal a new visual and structural purpose.

Ashofteh has also produced public sculptural works in Tabriz, including a horse sculpture for El Goli Park and butterfly sculptures associated with the Tabriz cable bridge. His practice is defined by assemblage, craftsmanship, figurative sculpture, and the reuse of industrial materials.

TUM Issue: Synthesis

Instagram: @bahram.ashofteh