Who Knew That Completely Normal Sculptures Could Also Look So Eerie?

Art has long been a way for people to explore the human body through paintings, sculptures, and other media. Even though times and styles change, the exploration of the human form–and all the baggage that comes with it–is something that”s been pretty much a constant in the production of art, and it doesn”t show any signs of slowing down.

(via Colossal)

Sometimes, that exploration can be taken to some pretty interesting extremes, too. Sculptor Emil Alzamora creates such work, using abstracted versions of the exterior human form to create a sense of what”s happening inside. He works in a variety of materials, including concrete, bronze, ceramic, foam, and gypsum, and his figures, despite being nearly featureless, manage to convey a strong sense of emotion and even narrative. Not only do the designs and positions of the figures lend them their sense of feeling, but the materials Alzamora chooses also contribute to their personalities.

Alzamora was born in Peru, and began sculpting in 1998 in New York”s Hudson Valley at a sculpture foundry. He views sculptures and the sculpting process as a way to help him understand emotions, the world around him, and the human experience by putting it into a visual context. “For me it”s rewarding to see a sculpture convey a kind of presence or communicate some sort of emotion,” he explains. “I find the human form has a story that pretty much anyone can dig into on some level without having to know too much about art.”

Alzamora”s work has been exhibited around the world, and you can keep up with his creations via Instagram and Facebook.