Combat veteran welds scrap metal into whimsical sculptures: 'Artwork has actually saved my life'

PALOS PARK, Ill. -- Like a modern-day Geppetto, Steve Kost articulated a scrap metal marionette he created at his home in Palos Park. It's one of many creations the ironworker and combat veteran has welded together through his art brand, Metal Health Artwork.

"This guy has full movement and expression," said Kost. "I'm going to make a crank mechanism so he can actually dance and move around a little bit."

His artwork has been exhibited at the Library Of Congress and the Illinois State Museum. In 2024, he was selected by Google to represent veteran artists, and an image of his sculpture, "Freedom Flight," was briefly featured on the main search page.

"I made this eagle, about 44 inches wide; I made it all from tools and old materials," said Kost. "A lot of people reached out to me afterwards and told me how proud and how much they appreciated me being a voice for veterans."

Kost's journey to becoming a scrap metal artist began when joined the Navy at 17 years old and became a hull technician, eventually joining a battalion with the Navy Seabees as a steelworker. In 1992, he was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia.

"Things kind of spiraled out of control there," said Kost. "I had some things happen to me that stuck with me."

When he got home, Kost said he tried to put traumatic experiences aside and move forward. He became an ironworker and after seeking mental health counseling through the Veterans Health Administration, began to tinker with spare metal parts to create animal sculptures.

"I really enjoy the challenge of finding the pieces as they are," said Kost, pointing to a rusted gate hasp latch made into an eye socket for a fish sculpture. "My artwork is sharing that there is still a sense of purpose and I think that relates to our military community."

Since delving into scrap metal art, Kost has become a voice for the challenges combat veterans face, advocating for them to use their time and energy constructively. He's also a musical artist; Kost plays drums for the rock band The Seventh Sons.

"Artwork has actually saved my life," said Kost. "I'm meant to share my story and inspire other veterans to find the healing power of art."

For more information on Steve Kost and Metal Health Artwork, visit stevekost.com.