Lionel Bawden's sculptures are inspired by Islamic art, Brancusi and...sea sponges?

Whether you see these bulging sculptures as a melted Turkish restaurant or as objects deposited on Earth by UFOs, or as something else entirely, you can’t argue they’re not intriguing. Lionel Bawden creates these melting blobs inspired by natural curiostities such as stalagmites and, lava and sea sponges. The Sydney-based sculptor also draws recognisable influences from Islamic art and the work of much-loved sculptor Brancusi to make these spectacular, melting creatures.