The metal sculptures of artist Darius Hulea

Darius Hulea (born 1987 in Alba Iulia) is a Romania artist who specialises in portraits and animals made from iron, stainless steel, copper and brass wires. The artist successfully combines elements of both contemporary and classical art to bring his sculptures to life. Using industrial materials, Darius moulds them into portraits of famous historical figures depicting Romanian artists, philosophers, poets and other prominent figures alike.

Darius got interested in art when he found inspiration in the folk crafts, in the small village where he grew up. The artist’s grandmother and great grandmother both wove traditional Romanian geometric fabrics. He was also influenced by his grandfather, who gave Darius insight into industrial materials, as he worked with agricultural tools and was a wood craftsman. The sculptor translated his influences and inspirations into making sculptures, where he could combine all the elements.

 “I discovered during my second year of college that the great artists of modern history used the principle of drawing in space or drawing the space through different metallic structures. Some, like Picasso, used recycled materials or, like Calder or David Smith, industrial materials. That moment was the turning point of the sculptures that I am doing now. For me, this type of drawing is what we find in the sketches of the great artists of the Renaissance like Michelangelo and Da Vinci—serious and realistic compositions that anyone can understand.”

Hulea chooses wires of differing widths to ‘draw’ his portrait in 3D, without using paper and pen. He adheres to the principles of classical drawing in forming these powerful three dimensional sculptures.

Darius Hulea graduated the University of Art and Design from Cluj Napoca, Sculpture section, and in 2012 he become member of the Artists Union.

Why not follow him via his Facebook page