39 Incredibly Realistic Sand Sculptures Of Animals By Andoni Bastarrika
If you’ve ever spent a lazy day at the beach, you’ve probably build a sand castle or two. Maybe you even tried to create something more elaborate by burying your friend and making them look like a mermaid. Whatever the case may be, artist Andoni Bastarrika has you beat when it comes to sand sculptures. The man sculpts incredibly realistic sand animals that look like they’re going to stand up and walk away any minute.
In an interview with Bored Panda, the man said started creating sand sculptures around ten years ago. He made a little mermaid while on the beach with his two girls and says it was at that time that he discovered something the ‘fluidity’ of his hands. “They knew what they were doing,” revealed Andoni. “I devoted myself to developing this gift and have spent the last 10 years doing just that.
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
Andoni says that sand fascinates him because no matter how you look at it, it always teaches you things if you are willing to learn. “In order to create a sculpture, an unthinkable number of sand particles participate, hugging each other tightly through humidity, so that someone could model their union,” says the artist. “And once the artist steps back, its piece will remain at the mercy of nature, meaning that sooner or later the wind will dry them up and release each particle, slowly consuming all the individuality and authenticity.”
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
“There are a lot of reasons why I like to make animal sculptures as well, but one is the fact that animals are free spirits,” says the artist. “Humans can reflect and learn from them.”
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
“Then, there’s the nudity they bring with themselves to this world at birth which they keep until their death. That nudity — at least to me — symbolizes freedom, the essential ingredient to being able to truly live,” continued Andoni. “Humans ‘overdress’ to survive in a lot of ways. I have never made nor will I make an animal with a necklace or chains. I prefer to embrace their freedom, power, and wisdom through beauty rather than a form of suffering.”
See more of Andoni’s incredible sand sculptures below!
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
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Image source: Andoni Bastarrika
Got wisdom to pour?