Most of us don’t think so much about our old computers. But here’s an artist who gets hold of old keyboards and creates stunning art murals from them.
Erik Jensen is extremely passionate about using recycled computer keys creatively. While he might be deaf – it hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his dream.
Graduated from Utah Valley University, he tried his hand in various professions. And finally settled for recycled keyboard art.
Jensen explains, “Inspired by the technological world, I use computer keyboard keys to create pixilated artworks, including the process of plastic dyeing to implement colors.”
Creating murals from recycled computer keys is definitely not easy. Jensen takes anywhere between two to three months to complete a work to be displayed in a show. His first step after procuring keyboards is to pop off the keys and wash them clean.
Most people don’t take care of their computer keyboards and eventually throw them out. I find them, give them a little TLC, and turn them into a beautiful masterpiece. Each keyboard has an individual personality. Their characters, depth, and color make the art even better.
Art Business
Then begins the coloring process. Jensen has a special recipe to dye the recycled keys that don’t smudge, obliterate or hide the characters.
Using keys means that his pieces have to follow a strict grid pattern, like real pixels on a computer screen. And since each key is a specific and unchangeable size and shape, he has to figure out how to create curves without physically cutting off pieces of the square.
Jensen is adept in creating computer key art of all sizes. Just one of his artworks can consist of up to 40,000 keys. That’s about 460 keyboards!
The size of his work usually depends upon the design – the more detailed it is, the bigger it’ll need to be. And higher will be its price.
Erik has used this technique to recreate famous paintings, like Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”
Jensen, who become an artist at a very young age, started working with keyboards for a college art project.
Erik started doing art when he was first able to pick up things. His mother was (and still is!) awesome and allowed him to be free in his creativity, even it if meant big messes.. …He started doing art with computer keyboard keys in 2013, started doing it as a business in 2017, and went to being a full-time artist in 2018.
His work has been recognized worldwide and has also received numerous awards.
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