Mansooruddin Faridi/New Delhi

By transforming discarded scrap into remarkable works of art, young Bhopal-based artist Mohammed Kashif is pushing the boundaries of creativity while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.

A mechanical engineer by training, Kashif specialises in large-scale metal sculptures, using stainless steel, brass and discarded machine parts to create captivating artworks. Combining artistic imagination with engineering expertise, he gives seemingly lifeless objects a new purpose, producing creations that reflect both aesthetic appeal and technical precision.

For Kashif, art is not merely about creating something beautiful; it is also about rethinking waste. Speaking to Awaz-The Voice, he explained that if an object can be reused and transformed into something beautiful and meaningful, there is no reason to discard it. This belief has made environmental sustainability an integral part of his work.

Many of his creations are inspired by nature and environmental challenges, and carry a message about the importance of protecting the planet.

Mohammed Kashif's creation - Globe

His artistic journey began in childhood with an unusual curiosity about how things worked. Fascinated by toys, he would dismantle them to understand their internal mechanisms rather than simply play with them. His parents encouraged this interest and supported his experiments.

During his school years, Kashif participated in painting competitions, and winning them helped him recognise his artistic abilities. He also began wondering whether he could create something unconventional that would make people stop, observe and think. This led him to experiment with discarded materials and everyday objects that others considered useless.

Pursuing art, however, was not easy. Some people dismissed his creative interests as a waste of time, while others mocked his efforts. But Kashif refused to be discouraged.

Mohammed Kashif's artwork

During college, he concentrated on mechanical engineering and kept his artistic pursuits largely to himself. Yet his studies strengthened his creative ambitions. Understanding how machines functioned enhanced his technical knowledge and gave him the confidence to experiment with increasingly complex ideas.

A turning point came during his second year of engineering college, when he created an unusual sculpture of a coconut tree. Initially hesitant to display it, he placed the sculpture at an exhibition but moved away from his stall, fearing that visitors might ridicule his work.

The response was quite the opposite. Visitors were fascinated by the sculpture, and photographs of it soon went viral on social media. The appreciation boosted his confidence and encouraged him to pursue art more seriously.

Mohammed Kashif's exhibit

In 2019, Kashif received an invitation to represent India at an international art exhibition in Dubai. The selection process was highly competitive. Of approximately 400 applicants, 40 were shortlisted for an exhibition in Bhopal, from which only eight artists were selected for the Dubai event. Kashif was among them.

The opportunity gave him international exposure and recognition. The talent he had once hesitated to reveal for fear of criticism had now become his defining identity.

Besides participating in World Art Dubai, Kashif has represented India at an international robotics competition. His innovative creations have also earned places in various international record books.

Mohammed Kashif receiving awards

For Kashif, engineering and art are complementary disciplines. Engineering gives an idea structural strength, precision and practical form, while art adds imagination, beauty and creative expression. This philosophy has shaped his approach to working with metal, steel, wood and discarded materials.

In 2017, he established his startup, Artistic Engineering, bringing the two disciplines together under one platform. The company undertakes interior and exterior design, metal art, steel fabrication, customised fountains, automated gates, and architectural and decorative projects. A team of skilled artisans works alongside him to turn these ideas into reality.

One of his most remarkable creations is the Plastic Bottle Globe, made from 15,000 discarded plastic bottles and installed in Bhopal's Lake View area. The installation reflects his commitment to recycling and environmental awareness. Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar attended its inauguration, bringing further attention to the project and its message.

Mohammed Kashif's playing different sports

Kashif's portfolio includes an impressive range of creations, from a 20-foot-high steel globe to projects associated with the Vikramaditya Vedic Clock and the Global Investors Summit. His distinctive works include the Metal Umbrella, Butterfly Sculpture, Golden Sphere, Kinetic Wind Spinner, Scrap Robotics Sculptures and Invisible Quantum Sculptures. These installations showcase his ability to combine artistic imagination with complex engineering.

His achievements have earned him several awards and honours. At the Luxury Lifestyle & Business Awards 2026, held at Taj Lands End in Mumbai, he received the Innovative Artist & Sculptor of the Year award for Madhya Pradesh.

In August 2025, he was honoured with the Best Artist of the Year award at the Buzz Expo & Awards in Noida. Earlier, at the Leadership Excellence Awards 2022, he received the Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year award for his innovative work at the intersection of art and engineering.

Another significant milestone was his creation of a 500-kilogram globe using 15,000 discarded plastic bottles at Bhopal's Boat Club. Designed to highlight the harmful effects of single-use plastics and encourage environmentally responsible practices, the installation was recognised by the Asia Book of Records and the International Book of World Records.

Unique art works of Mohammad Kashif

Beyond art and engineering, Kashif has a keen interest in sports. He has played cricket and football since childhood and participated in competitions at different levels. He has also competed in state-level shooting events.

Looking ahead, he hopes to create an artwork that will be the largest of its kind in the world, combining spectacular visual appeal with the ambition of earning a place in the Guinness World Records.

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From dismantling toys as a curious child to transforming discarded metal and plastic into extraordinary creations, Mohammed Kashif's journey demonstrates how imagination, technical knowledge and perseverance can turn unconventional ideas into meaningful works of art.