In his Islamabad workshop, sculptor Ehtisham Jadoon welds together discarded car parts, old tools, and steel sheets to create towering sculptures that weigh tons and stand as tall as buildings. Despite daily burns and injuries from his dangerous craft, the self-taught artist has found his calling in transforming scrap metal into magnificent beasts that he hopes will beautify Pakistan and inspire change.

"Welding burns you, I get burnt every day," Jadoon explained from his workshop located just off GT Road. His gallery houses an impressive collection of massive sculptures, including an ibex with rust-covered horns, a tyrannosaurus with gears for internal organs, and a lion with a mane made entirely of steel cables. The weight of his multi-ton creations has actually cracked the marble floors beneath them, but for Jadoon, these challenges are part of the artistic process.

The 35-year-old artist's journey to metalwork was far from conventional. "This wasn't planned," he said. "I didn't know what my passion was, and everyone has a different perspective on what passion means. I spent 35 years of my life without knowing who I am." After trying martial arts and mountain biking, Jadoon discovered that working with his hands allowed him to channel his energy into creative forms. He had no formal art training, having previously worked in his sister's textile business and spent time in construction.

The physical demands of metalwork are intense and dangerous. Jadoon suffers injuries approximately every two weeks, not counting the daily burns from welding. "That's how intense welding is; it's an intense, difficult process, but I enjoy it. My art may be difficult, but there's a novelty to it," he explained. His first welder, who had hearing loss, became his teacher and inspired Jadoon's mission to uplift the people he works with.

"Art gives people a voice and these sculptures aren't just my voice; they're the voices of everyone who's worked with me on them," Jadoon told the publication. "I speak from my heart when I say that I respect these people; they work long shifts, without cover and rest, so my success is theirs as well." This philosophy drives his commitment to providing jobs to local workers and developing their skills.

Jadoon's creative process is remarkably intuitive. Most of his ideas begin when he sees something and tries to picture it recreated in metal using scrap materials he finds. "I don't sketch these sculptures out and plan everything down to the last nail, I just get up and start welding," he said. Each project requires an average of 2,000 to 3,000 hours to complete, with each piece reflecting his mental and emotional state during creation.

The scale of Jadoon's work is truly impressive. His tree sculpture has a 25-foot radius and contains between 7,000 to 8,000 metal leaves and 10,000 to 15,000 branches, appearing different from every viewing angle. His T-rex sculpture, nicknamed "Maximus" and inspired by Jurassic Park, stands 12 feet tall, stretches 22 feet in length, and weighs approximately two tons. The dinosaur's skin is made of individually cut metal scales, with only half painted to represent the duality of emotions Jadoon experienced while creating it.

Working 12 to 14 hours daily in his workshop, Jadoon hasn't taken a single day off in over a year. "When you're passionate, driven in your work, it's never a chore," he explained. His perfectionist approach means he often disassembles and rebuilds sculptures multiple times until satisfied. "Every sculpture of mine, I've made it, disassembled it, and remade it again till I was satisfied with it. The lion sculpture, I remade twice, I remade the dinosaur four times because I felt it could be improved."

The weight of his creations presents constant challenges. His rhino sculpture is so heavy that four to five people are needed to move it, and the workshop floor has actually broken under the weight of his pieces. The engineering required to balance the two-ton dinosaur on just two legs demonstrates the technical skill behind his artistic vision.

Jadoon draws inspiration primarily from nature, especially from Pakistan's northern regions where he seeks peace. As a native of Abbottabad, he has witnessed his hometown lose much of its natural beauty to urbanization, which motivates his desire to beautify public spaces. He also finds inspiration in popular culture, such as movies and television shows, with his dinosaur sculpture directly inspired by Jurassic Park.

Sustainability is a core focus of Jadoon's work. "The thing about my materials is that they only get more beautiful with time. If you go to an old scrapyard and just take a look around, you'll see the most amazing forms made out of metal. My goal is to educate people on how these discarded forms can have value too," he said.

What began as a passion project has evolved into a business that transforms lives. Jadoon now markets his sculptures through social media, using proceeds to provide employment and skill development for local workers. "I think people need to understand that art can be hope for people," he stated. As a self-described patriot, Jadoon believes Pakistan urgently needs more public art displays, especially in airports, which often showcase a nation's creative spirit.

When asked about his favorite piece, Jadoon expressed special affection for his markhor sculpture. "It's our national animal—a majestic creature, it represents the Pakistani people, strong, courageous, hard working," he said. His lion sculpture, called "Mr. T," required two complete rebuilds before reaching its final form.

Jadoon's ultimate vision is breathtakingly ambitious: a 70-foot fire-breathing dragon sculpture positioned opposite the Passu Cones, flanked by a river on one side and a valley on the other. "I want the whole world to see that, it'll definitely be one of the most impressive sculptures in Pakistan," he told the publication.

His Islamabad workshop remains open to visitors, and he regularly hosts people who come to admire his work, with special attention to children with special needs. An upcoming exhibition is scheduled at Islamabad's Centaurus Mall from September 22 to 25, with discussions underway for a Karachi exhibition later in the year.

Beyond displaying art for wealthy audiences, Jadoon wants to install his sculptures in underdeveloped areas. "I want people who like my art to visit these difficult places and help the people who live there. I think my art can shed some light on their condition," he explained. He believes people in these areas simply need opportunities to succeed and can handle the rest themselves.

Jadoon's message to young people is straightforward: life is unpredictable, so stop wasting time in front of screens and create something meaningful in the world. "Utilize yourselves, create something. A life well lived is one that makes a difference, no matter how small," he advised, emphasizing that the value of achievements comes from their positive impact on others.