Artist Statement – Paul Tinson

Brisbane-Based 3D Artist Specialising in Welded Metal Sculptures from Recycled Mechanical Materials

I’m Paul Tinson, an emerging 3D sculptor based in Brisbane, Australia, known for creating welded metal sculptures using recycled and discarded mechanical components. My work transforms industrial waste into abstract and recognisable forms, blending engineering precision with artistic expression.

Each sculpture is individually crafted, shaped by the materials available at the time—making every piece unique and one-of-a-kind. I aim to preserve the original form of each component, allowing the final artwork to be viewed both as a collection of mechanical parts and as a unified sculptural entity.

Artistic Inspiration

My creative process is driven by four core passions:

  • Engineering and mechanical design
  • Music and musical instruments
  • Motorcycle racing and automotive culture
  • The anatomical form of the human skull

These influences converge in my work, which explores themes such as heavy metal culture, modern garden sculpture, death symbolism, and industrial art. Whether I’m crafting a life-size welded guitar or a concrete skull with a metal exoskeleton, my art challenges conventional boundaries and celebrates the beauty of decay, sound, and structure.

Welded metal guitar sculptures made from recycled mechanical parts displayed in a modern room with colorful musician-themed paintings and designer chairs.

Paul Tinson’s welded metal guitar sculptures anchor this vibrant art space, where industrial design meets musical expression and contemporary visual art.

Sculptural Process

I work primarily with welding, an additive technique that I find deeply organic and creatively liberating. The immediacy of welding allows me to build in multiple dimensions, combining metal, stone, concrete, and other natural and industrial materials to push the limits of sculptural form.

My signature pieces include:

  • Welded metal guitar sculptures inspired by iconic rock and heavy metal musicians
  • DEADHEADS – concrete skulls encased in welded steel exoskeletons
  • Mixed media installations using automotive and mechanical waste
Welder wearing a black helmet with a yellow logo and white gloves, working on a metal sculpture in an industrial art studio.

Inside the studio: Paul Tinson mid-process, welding mechanical components with precision and care to shape his signature guitar sculptures.

Artistic Journey

With a background in engineering and composite fabrication, I began my artistic journey later in life. In 2015, I debuted as a guest artist in Depths & Shallows, an ocean-themed exhibition where I repurposed bicycles and pallet wood to depict marine life amidst industrial debris.

In 2017, I co-curated a heavy metal-themed exhibition, showcasing my DEADHEADS series and a collection of life-size welded guitars built from recycled car and motorcycle engine parts. These works reflect my ongoing fascination with skull anatomy, musical heritage, and mechanical form.

Currently, I’m exploring metal forging techniques to expand my sculptural vocabulary and evolve my portfolio into new dimensions.

Family of Creators

Creativity runs deep in my family. My daughter Rhianna Tinson is the founder of Joolarhi, where she designs vibrant jewellery and homewares—including her popular music-inspired and skull-themed collections. You can explore her work at Joolarhi