“Ben Marcacci is a self-taught metal artist, fabricator, and lifelong collector of forgotten objects whose work transforms discarded tools, machinery, and industrial relics into sculptures rich with character and history. At 50 years old, Ben brings more than three decades of experience working with steel and fabrication to his art, combining craftsmanship with a deep appreciation for the stories hidden within old materials.

Having traveled to more than 90 countries while working as a contractor supporting U.S. State Department projects, Ben has been influenced by cultures, architecture, craftsmanship, and artistic traditions from around the world. These experiences have shaped his creative vision and reinforced his belief that beauty and value can be found in unexpected places.

Much of Ben's work begins long before the first weld. He spends countless hours exploring old farms, estate sales, auctions, barns, and forgotten workshops searching for materials with history and character. The process of finding, storing, sorting, and preserving these pieces is as important to him as the final sculpture itself. Rusted tools, worn machinery, weathered wood, and industrial remnants become the building blocks of artwork that honors the lives and labor of those who used them before.

From whimsical animals and expressive masks to large-scale wall pieces and functional ironwork, Ben's creations celebrate reinvention and imagination. While repurposed materials remain central to his work, he also enjoys incorporating new materials and fabrication techniques when a design calls for them.

Ben believes that every object has a story worth continuing. By giving discarded materials a second life, he creates artwork that bridges the past and present while inviting viewers to discover familiar objects in entirely new ways. He is constantly learning, refining his craft, and collaborating with customers whose ideas often inspire some of his most unique creations.

Today, Ben continues to create from his Illinois workshop, where welding, collecting, storytelling, and craftsmanship come together to transform the ordinary into the unexpected.

Artist Statement:

"I don't just build sculptures—I rescue stories. Every piece of steel, every worn tool, every forgotten object had a purpose long before it found its way into my shop. My job is to honor that history while giving it a new life and a new story to tell. ““

~ Ben Marcacci