Indore’s Deval Verma turns scrap metal into largescale sculptures

Deval Rajendra Verma is fascinated by discarded industrial scrap. The Indore-based product designer and metal artist has upcycled over 20 tonnes of scrap metal into artwork. Till date, Deval has sculpted over 250 pieces.

While most machine enthusiasts are keen to know how appliances are made and their functionality, 33-year-old Deval Rajendra Verma is fascinated by discarded industrial scrap. The Indore-based product designer and metal artist has upcycled over 20 tonnes of scrap metal into artwork for the likes of One Plus India, Reliance Industries, DHL, the Indian Army, Harley Davidson (Indore, Lucknow and Jaipur), and BMW Motorrad Lutyens Delhi, among others. “One of my artworks, Bharat, is a nine foot scrap metal map of India and is installed in the Constitution Museum of India. Mayur, a seven foot peacock sculpture adorns the residence of the Prime Minister of India,” says Deval, who turned full-time artist in 2017. 

As a child, Deval says he “was obsessed with the TV show MAD on Pogo, It showed how everyday objects could be transformed into something new. Inspired by it, I started making my own toys from random material”. While he initially wanted to be an automobile designer, his fascination with metal drew him to pursue Mechanical Engineering and Product Design, which deepened his love for machines. “But it was discarded industrial scrap that truly captivated me. I saw beauty and potential in old gears, chains, and machine parts.”

Till date, Deval has sculpted over 250 pieces, his most recent and challenging one being the Pawanputra Hanuman — an eight-foot-tall piece made from over 350 kilograms of scrap metal, including stainless steel, brass, and automotive parts — for a restaurant in Godhra, Gujarat. “Capturing the right anatomy, stance, and expressions in metal was incredibly difficult. Since Hanuman is a revered figure, every detail had to convey strength, devotion, and divinity with precision,” he says, adding that crafting the face — getting the expressions right to reflect power, emotion, and spirituality — took multiple iterations.

Other prominent projects include Taurus, a sculpture of a bull made for a stock trading company in Mumbai’s Dalal street; Nirvana, a Buddha sculpture made out of discarded nuts for a residence in Singapore; A World Alike, a world map made of transmission chains for a home in Italy.

Deval explains how his sculptures are primarily made from stainless steel, mild steel, and brass, along with discarded industrial components like gears, chains, bearings, springs, spoons, and automotive parts. “My materials come from local garages, scrap yards, factories, and sometimes directly from industries that want to repurpose their waste into something artistic. At times, the brands that collaborate with us also send their junk to upcycle.” A process Deval thoroughly enjoys. “The best part about working with scrap starts right from the procurement stage — it’s literally a treasure hunt. Finding unique material, imagining their potential, and then fitting them into place to create a form is incredibly exciting.” 

The process includes conceptualising with 3D models, metal selection, fabrication, applying protective coatings, and installation. “While smaller sculptures take four-six weeks to make, large-scale installations can take several months or even a year,” explains the artist, who also dabbles in painting and singing. As for their after-care, Deval says most sculptures require minimal maintenance if built properly. For outdoor sculptures, protective coatings prevent rust and weather damage, and periodic cleaning, and annual inspections ensure structural integrity. For indoor sculptures, simple dusting and occasional polishing is enough, he says.

Transporting sculptures is a critical phase since these pieces are often heavy and delicate, adds Deval. “If the sculpture is made in parts, they are transported and assembled on site. In the case of a singular sculpture, it is directly installed on site with the help of fabricators. The process includes reinforcing weak points with temporary welding, disassembling larger sculptures into smaller, manageable sections, packing, and then using specialised transport like hydraulic trucks and cranes for extremely heavy pieces.”