Sand has been a favorite plaything for many of us since childhood. However, for some, it’s not just a source of entertainment but also a medium for artistic expression. That’s the case for Andoni Bastarrika, a Spanish artist who has taken sand sculpting to the next level. He makes massive sand builds that surely attract attention. From frightening alligators to cute dogs, Andoni’s sculptures are a testament to the beauty and versatility of this seemingly humble material that is sand.
The artist has previously revealed that his artistic journey began in 2010. His very first work was a sculpture of a little mermaid, which made him realize that he is talented. In Andoni’s words, his hands seemed to have a mind of their own while working on the sculpture. This experience motivated Andoni to hone his skills and over the past decade, he has dedicated himself to perfecting his craft. Scroll down for the mesmerizing works! For more impressive sculptures, check out our previous post here.
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
“There are a lot of reasons why I like to make animal sculptures, but one is the fact that animals are free spirits. Humans can reflect and learn from them. Then, there’s the nudity they bring with them 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. 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,” Andoni previously shared with Bored Panda.
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
We reached out to Andoni again to learn more about his creative process and himself. We asked him about the challenges he faces while creating these mesmerizing sand sculptures. The artist shared that the most difficult part is usually getting the full expression of the sculptures. “The expression is what gives life to the sculptures. Not always, but there are times that you get lost, in which you don’t see how to move forward, you do everything as possible, you are removing and putting sand in different ways but the only thing that advances is time. These are very frustrating moments, in which you have to make drastic decisions such as breaking a small or a large part of the sculpture.”
The bit that Andoni enjoys the most is the one after having achieved the full expression, “once this is done, it is a pleasure to work and delve into the details that intensify the realism.”
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
These sculptures are certain to leave a lasting impression on all who witness them. Looking at the mesmerizing creations, one can only wonder how much skill and patience they might require to make, keeping in mind that these builds cannot stay for too long and are easy to destroy. Despite their temporary nature, they are popular attractions at beaches, festivals, and events, providing a unique and captivating form of entertainment for people of all ages.
Andoni shared that his sculptures create a great impact on people’s minds, “they are fascinated. There are times when they find it hard to believe that they are made with sand and water. Even dogs believe that these sculptures are real animals.”
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
The artist revealed that he is completely self-taught. In order to learn the subtleties of this form of art, Andoni simply followed the curiosity and passion that awakened within him.
“What continues to fascinate me the most about the work I do, apart from the satisfaction of being able to do it, is the mystery that surrounds that power to do it. The first surprised and shocked by the results is usually myself. Deep down I am certain that I am a simple human being with the capacity to manifest and materialize something amazing, like a great mystery that does not belong to me, but to which I belong at the same time. What I would like people to take away from my sand sculptures, is the magic and amazement that they generate in me. Being aware that these sculptures are made of water and sand, I feel them being totally alive. It is like living the experience of being able to create life, like mother earth.”
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
After being asked about his future plans, Andoni answered that he doesn’t have any concrete plans. “My best plan right now is to live in the present daydreaming about expanding my sand works all over the world. I also dream of creating exhibitions indoors and in museums too. I know how to keep them for months. I also dream of being the voice of mother earth and animals through the beauty of my sculptures.”
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Image credits: andoni_bastarrika_artista
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