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Sand has been a favorite plaything for many of us since childhood. However, for some, it's not just a source of entertainment but also a medium for artistic expression. That's the case for Andoni Bastarrika, a Spanish artist who has taken sand sculpting to the next level. He makes massive sand builds that surely attract attention. From frightening alligators to cute dogs, Andoni's sculptures are a testament to the beauty and versatility of this seemingly humble material that is sand.

The artist has previously revealed that his artistic journey began in 2010. His very first work was a sculpture of a little mermaid, which made him realize that he is talented. In Andoni's words, his hands seemed to have a mind of their own while working on the sculpture. This experience motivated Andoni to hone his skills and over the past decade, he has dedicated himself to perfecting his craft. Scroll down for the mesmerizing works! For more impressive sculptures, check out our previous post here

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#1

Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

Sawdust
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are we sure this guy didn't just kidnap an actual hippopotamus?

CatOfTheNight338
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

imagine if you were going to the beach and just saw this lol

Jp@nda
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🎶Iiii want a hippopotamus for Christmas🎶

"There are a lot of reasons why I like to make animal sculptures, but one is the fact that animals are free spirits. Humans can reflect and learn from them. Then, there's the nudity they bring with them to this world at birth which they keep until their death. That nudity -- at least to me -- symbolizes freedom, the essential ingredient to being able to truly live. Humans 'overdress' to survive in a lot of ways. I have never made nor will I make an animal with a necklace or chains. I prefer to embrace their freedom, power, and wisdom through beauty rather than a form of suffering," Andoni previously shared with Bored Panda.

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    #2

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    David
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks a lot like a Charolais bull we used to own. The hooves look too light to me but maybe some are that way IRL. We used to raise dairy and beef cattle and I never saw any with pink hooves.

    Hakuna Matata
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fav love cows my dad‘s nicest cow had a calf today so cute

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    #3

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    Brazen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's late at night where I am. I looked away from the computer for a few minutes, looked back and saw this and said to myself "awww, what a beautiful horse". I then realized what the post was about and now I feel dumb. lol

    David
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow. Especially away from the beach / in this setting it really does look like a horse just hanging out.

    Hakuna Matata
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love horses after cows and dogs my cousin has 3 horses

    Alexandria Z
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is amazing. Makes me wana ride her

    We reached out to Andoni again to learn more about his creative process and himself. We asked him about the challenges he faces while creating these mesmerizing sand sculptures. The artist shared that the most difficult part is usually getting the full expression of the sculptures. "The expression is what gives life to the sculptures. Not always, but there are times that you get lost, in which you don't see how to move forward, you do everything as possible, you are removing and putting sand in different ways but the only thing that advances is time. These are very frustrating moments, in which you have to make drastic decisions such as breaking a small or a large part of the sculpture."

    The bit that Andoni enjoys the most is the one after having achieved the full expression, "once this is done, it is a pleasure to work and delve into the details that intensify the realism."

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    #5

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    I’mSoEmotional
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I saw this I’d think an elephant was stuck in the sand and needed help!

    These sculptures are certain to leave a lasting impression on all who witness them. Looking at the mesmerizing creations, one can only wonder how much skill and patience they might require to make, keeping in mind that these builds cannot stay for too long and are easy to destroy. Despite their temporary nature, they are popular attractions at beaches, festivals, and events, providing a unique and captivating form of entertainment for people of all ages.

    Andoni shared that his sculptures create a great impact on people's minds, "they are fascinated. There are times when they find it hard to believe that they are made with sand and water. Even dogs believe that these sculptures are real animals."

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    #6

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    Marilyn Holt
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    how does he gat the different colours?

    I’mSoEmotional
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know they have to use a specific type of sand to make these. Beach sand won’t stick together because it’s been rolled back and forth in the waves, so it’s too smooth.

    fair_weather_rose
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I made a pretty awesome sand dragon once, although it wasn't colored

    #7

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    Jp@nda
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Be careful, some ahole might try and poach it

    Alexandria Z
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well done right down to the cute ears.

    The artist revealed that he is completely self-taught. In order to learn the subtleties of this form of art, Andoni simply followed the curiosity and passion that awakened within him.

    "What continues to fascinate me the most about the work I do, apart from the satisfaction of being able to do it, is the mystery that surrounds that power to do it. The first surprised and shocked by the results is usually myself. Deep down I am certain that I am a simple human being with the capacity to manifest and materialize something amazing, like a great mystery that does not belong to me, but to which I belong at the same time. What I would like people to take away from my sand sculptures, is the magic and amazement that they generate in me. Being aware that these sculptures are made of water and sand, I feel them being totally alive. It is like living the experience of being able to create life, like mother earth."

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    #8

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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    Jp@nda
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks a whole lot better than anything i could ever do

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    Hakuna Matata
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like what I said before love horses next to cows and dogs

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    #9

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    Isaac Nemo
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Artist? Because he's proud of his work. The alligator/crocodile? Because he's also proud of the artist's work.

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    After being asked about his future plans, Andoni answered that he doesn't have any concrete plans. "My best plan right now is to live in the present daydreaming about expanding my sand works all over the world. I also dream of creating exhibitions indoors and in museums too. I know how to keep them for months. I also dream of being the voice of mother earth and animals through the beauty of my sculptures."

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    #10

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    I’mSoEmotional
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure if it’s intentional but the sand near the mouth looks tinged red. I hope that’s not supposed to be blood.

    #14

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone know where that is? Looks amazing! Spain somewhere I imagine?

    #15

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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    Alexandria Z
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm NOT checking if he's real, thank you very much.

    Marilyn Holt
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    imagine taking an evening walk along the beach and.....um, what's that up ahead.........??

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    #16

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    Squishy
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm terrified of feet and this is really messing with my brain because it's so cool and it's just sand but it looks so much like a foot I don't know what to feel XD

    Brazen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, I almost threw up, so I feel for you.

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    B Martin
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does anyone else smell it? Ugh!

    Linden
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have podophobia and this is not OK.

    Alexandria Z
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Big foot was here and still is.

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    #17

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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    #18

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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    #22

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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    #23

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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    #25

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

    andoni_bastarrika_artista Report

    Brazen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Both ends make me laugh...the tongue and the balls. I feel very juvenile tonight. :)

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    #27

    Sand Artist Makes Sculptures That Will Blow Your Mind (30 New Pics)

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