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Artist Recycles Discarded Keys to Transform Them Into Unique Decor

Australian craftsman Moerkey, also known as Michael Moerkerk, recycles discarded keys and transforms them into unique works of art. It all started when he was supposed to be cleaning out his shed and he came across some old copper pipe. He then cut it into rings and began honing a technique that lead to the creation of decorative spheres, bowls, figures, and more.

Moerkerk bends and twists keys to alter them in unexpected ways. Instead of unlocking doors, they're now bottlenecks and wine stems. The artist uses a variety of keys with differently-shaped heads and bodies and attaches them edge to edge. As a result, there are gaps between every key, and it produces wonderful shadows when lit by a tea light or the shining sun.

Everything by Moerkerk is made-to-order through his Moerkey Etsy shop.

Moerkey Etsy shop and Facebook page
via [Twisted Sifter]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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