John T. Unger says that his mandate is “sustainable design with an edge”.  In order to compete with in the global marketplace, green design has to be cooler, sleeker, and better than new.  He scours scrap yards for discarded car metal, propane and oxygen tanks, radiators, and metal of any kind.  He transforms these bits and pieces into genuine works of art.  This artwork is also often very functional, serving a varied array of purposes from grills to gates to signs to fire pits.  Another great aspect of his work is the permanence of his design.  These pieces are meant to withstand the years with little to no maintenance even if left outdoors.  In fact, the outdoor metal art work will develop a patina of rust over time, adding to the beauty of the design.

He offers many items for sale on his website www.johntunger.com and will also do commission work upon request.  In some circumstances, he partners with his daughter Mya to design and make some of his most eye catching pieces.  It seems as though this artistic ingenuity and love for the planet has been passed down into another generation!

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This grate can be used as security bars on basement windows to beautify the home instead of putting what looks like “jail bars” on them.  These grates bring grace and beauty instead of highlighting the security risk that basement windows sometimes have.  It is made from 100% recycled or reused metal and is reminiscent of a pair of shutters in the closed position.

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This beautiful Macintosh garden screen would look beautiful with plants climbing up the trellises, sweet peas blooming on it in the summer.  Or they could be used as fence partitions beautifully setting garden areas apart from each other.  The beauty and simplicity of the lines on this screen make it appear deceptively geometric.

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This gate is called the “Devil in the Jungle” gate.  The use of “found” art metal pieces along with the straight lines make up a wonderful composition.  The rusty patina adds colour and texture to the piece and also beckons back to its name of devil in the jungle.  One of the pieces looks like a devil’s pointed tail, while along looks like an exotic leaf structure which could only be found in the deepest, darkest jungle.

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The reuse of this radiator grill into a log cradle for a fireplace is very creative.  The radiator is instantly recognizable in its form and leads one to think back to days past when everyone had radiators in their homes for heat.  Now this radiator is holding logs which will be used to heat the home.  Same function really but a completely different and more appealing form.  This piece would look stunning in a modern, minimalist decor as a centerpiece to prompt discussion about all issues green.

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Mr. Unger’s website displays many of these figuristic sculptures in all sorts of forms and poses.  They are made up of reclaimed metal and granite and stone cast-offs.  These rock castoffs are only polished on one side so the back of the figures are covered in copper which only adds to the beauty of the figures.  The shape of the stones often speak to the artist helping him to design around each individual piece.  Sometimes an artist’s medium also chooses it’s own form.

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This beautiful mermaid is made of reclaimed pieces of automobile steel.  The colours of the patinas on the metal are worked into the piece by Mr. Unger skillfully and purposefully.  For example, look at the striations of rust on the fish’s tail very reminiscent of scales of the undulating texture of a fish’s skin.  The three dimensional nature of the mermaid’s dreadlocks held by red ribbons is my favourite part of this wall hanging.  Their shadows and bolts add so much to the overall piece.

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This three dimensional Gargoyle sculpture is drawn by Mr. Unger’s daughter, Mya.  She also helped with the cutting of the steel.  I love that not only is this sculpture good for the planet because of it’s use of recycled steel, but it is also good for the family as it helps bond father and daughter together.  The shadow of the gargoyle is perhaps even more creepy that the sculpture itself.  This is definitely one of my favourites!

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The artist says that : “these dancing devils were adapted from a series of medieval block prints… although they also remind me of Indonesian shadow puppets. Especially because of the way that they cast lively dancing shadows when you build a fire in the firepit. As the flames leap, so do the shadows! How cool is that?”.  I would love to see this firepit ablaze on a cool summer night with the flames leaping up to the sky.  Sheer genius.

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These “Goblets O Fire” are handcup from scrap 20 lb propane tanks and then welded to a heavy cast steel base.  The base is much heavier than the goblet so it easily keeps the unit stable.  This can be used filled with sand to hold candles, alcohol or gel fuel, charcoal fires of even small wood fires built from sticks.  The rusty patina and flames leaping from the edges remind you of fire even if one is not currently lit.  The artist has a whole line of different sizes and kinds of firepits, grills, and lighting using a variety of designs.

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These firebowls offer the same sorts of leaping fire designs and are well worth taking a look at with flames in their interior.  He offers these units in many sizes so that almost any person could find a setting in their own home where these pieces would work.  He even makes some isoceles style metal bowls which can be used to display items on the interior of your home.  All of this is also made of recycled materials so that you can feel good about the planet while making your home a place more enjoyable.

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Mr. Unger also makes a variety of table top sculptures from the castoffs he makes with the firepit flames.  These pieces are the pieces that were cut away to make the flames on the variety of fire items he produces.  The artist especially enjoys using his own scrap thereby reducing his impact on the environment even more.  Although in some ways, he makes an even bigger impact on the environment by creating such beautiful, useful, vibrant pieces of art.  Go to his website to see even more of his portfolio of work.  There is much, much more on his website that is not covered here and is definitely worth a look — johntunger.com

To read more of my articles relating to making art out of unusual or recycled materials, please click the links below.

Everyday Art: 15 Amazing Pictures of Food Art

Everyday Art: Lego

Everyday Art: Chairs

Everyday Art: Garbage Cans

Artistic Recycling: Tea Bags

Artistic Recycling: Egg Cartons

Artistic Recycling 3: Plastic Bottles