Steampunk creations from artist Zhu Benyu Photo: Courtesy of Zhu Benyu
 

Zhu Benyuu Photo: Courtesy of Zhu Benyu
 

Steampunk creations from artist Zhu Benyu Photo: Courtesy of Zhu Benyu

Inspired by some Western steampunk sculptures he saw online, Zhu Benyu decided to try his hand at making his own steampunk lamp in July of 2014. A Shanghai businessman at the time, Zhu took until October to finish his project. Upon completion his friend invited him to bring the lamp to a weekend vintage fair. Although Zhu decided to go along just for the fun of it, the fair ended up changing his life.

 "A Taiwanese artist bought my work and told me that my design was very creative and that he hoped to see more works from me," Zhu told the Global Times.

"That gave me a lot of encouragement, but I still felt my work was immature."

The then 44-year-old was inspired to pursue this new passion. Quitting his job, he visited people who could teach him how to weld and build electric circuits. He spend an entire year learning these skills and attempting more designs. Slowly, his study transformed into a metal sculpture studio.

Although steampunk art is not very popular in China, Zhu's works have received a high number of views and good reviews online. The media has even started to report on Zhu for the unique beauty and strength presented in his work.

He takes orders directly from customers, who currently are mostly foreigners living in China. 

Although he is willing to sell his work, Zhu explained that he has not attempted to promote his sculptures.

"The reason I've dedicated my life to the creation of art is that it's very quiet. I really enjoy the life I'm living right now - creating works and turning my ideas into a reality that ends up in other people's houses."

'Establishing a dialogue'



Zhu explained that his goal in creating a steampunk lamp is to combine the coldness and strength of metal with the soft and warm feeling of light.

"I've seen a lot of steampunk works that are pure art, but I want to make sure every piece I make is also practical. In this way they are not just a sculpture, but items that become part of a person's daily life," he said.

Pipes feature heavily in many of Zhu's early works. Gradually, he began to focus more on gears and items that have more details.

"I know of some foreign factories and artists that have all the details in mind from the very beginning and so design molds for each part, but I try to find inspiration from the parts I gather together. This makes each of my works completely unique and not mass produced," he told the Global Times.

According to Zhu, he doesn't make sketches of his work, instead a design gradually makes its way into his head as he cleans all the different parts.

"Don't look down on the cleaning process! It is kind of like establishing a dialogue with these old parts," he said. "As I get familiar with every line and the structure of each part, the primary image of my design comes to my mind and then I started to assemble them together.

"Sometimes a half-completed work gives me even more ideas that encourage me to adapt or change my plans. Sometimes the final work is totally different from my initial design, which comes as a happy surprise."

Coming to life

When talking about his favorite movies or books, Zhu didn't mention any classic steampunk works but rather pointed to the film Alien.

"I thought there should be some kind of enemies for the aliens and so I created some robots. And then gradually I made up a whole system for my world. I imagined what skills they have and how they form this imaginary world in my mind," he told the Global Times.

Most of his works are now sold at vintage fairs in Shanghai. He attends these fairs about three days a month. Customers can also order a work from him, which is sure to be a unique piece.

Most of his works are not sold at very high prices - the most expensive piece he ever sold went for 1,800 yuan ($277) - but Zhu said he isn't in it for the money.

"I don't like the way things are sold online. I regard my works as my children. I don't want to pack them into a box and send them to the delivery man," Zhu explained.

He encourages his customers to add their own touches to his work, such as adding extra parts or adding spray paint. 

Zhu hand-delivers orders right to his customers' homes. He said he loves watching these cold devices be set on the table of a warm family home. When they are lit up, they become something different, as if they have come to life.