Each of these miniature sculptures can take Brazilian-born, Connecticut-based artist Dalton Ghetti up to two years to craft. Yes, TWO YEARS! The painstakingly intricate process of carving the graphite of pencils is achieved through sewing needles, razor blades and knives.

The principle of making art out of a basic artistic instrument justifies the idea that beauty lies in simplicity. Whereas most artists would discard their pencil stubs, Ghetti regenerates them into artworks themselves, and his craft reminds us of the artisanal, hand-made practice of art making.

‘The pencil tip is great; it’s like a pure, very homogenous material,’ Ghetti explained in an interview with the New York Times. ‘It cuts in the same direction, not like wood, which has a grain. But when I tell people how long it takes, that’s when they don’t believe it. That’s what amazes people more, the patience. Because everything nowadays has to be fast, fast, fast.’

Ghetti is currently exhibiting his work in The Power of Making at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

Via GreenDiary.

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