"When Sean Guerrero drives by a long-abandoned, rusting car in the desert, he doesn't see junk, he sees art.
Guerrero, 51, goes on "chrome hunting" expeditions in junkyards throughout the West, as well as occasionally running across old automobiles that have died along roadsides and driveways.
After rounding up assorted materials, Guerrero cuts rescued pieces of chrome and metal with a torch before painstakingly welding and pounding them into larger- than-life pieces of art.
"I always see something sitting around that strikes my fancy," Guerrero said during an interview at his Denver shop. "It's recyclable art."
His works include horses, buffalo, cowboys, eagles, knights and dragons. Guerrero also fancies creating pieces
Denver artist Sean Guerrero looks at his larger-than-life cowboy in his studio. (Photos by Andy Cross, The Denver Post )
with a science fiction theme, such as aliens and spaceships.
Guerrero has made a living selling art for more than 25 years in Southern California, in France and in Crested Butte.
Now the former Hinkley High School student is back in the metro area — coming full circle, like his "recycled" art, he said.
Among his more visible pieces in Colorado is a bucking horse above an auto recycling shop off Interstate 25 and 8th Avenue called Denver Bumper Works.
A few drivers get off the highway to photograph and inquire about it, said Cris Vanner, co-owner of the longtime family business.
"Most are surprised with how someone can cut up a bumper like that and get it to fit how he wants it," Vanner said. "When you get up close and look at it, it really is amazing." [excerpted from: Artist's creativity welded to junk cars - The Denver Post (
visit link)
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: (
visit link) ]