It is difficult to recognize a cheap, rough, blocky building, which has fallen to disrepair, as aesthetically beautiful or even pleasing in any sense. But what Joshua Smith, an artist from Adelaide Australia has achieved, is create something between Judge Dredd’s Megacities, and an urban anime.

He has created a collection of rough and gritty urban architecture miniature models. His miniatures indeed capture the roughness of a decaying building, as well as a weird gritty appeal. You can Mr. Joshua’s work on Facebook, Instagram, and his own website as well.


Scratchbuilt miniature based on the Abandoned General Laundry building in New Orleans, United States. Created for the Urban Art Fair in Paris showing with Galerie 42b in Paris, April, 2019. Scratchbuilt 1:24 Scale Miniature created from MDF, Wood, cardboard, plastic card, chalk pastels, Acrylic Paint, wire, styrene.

 

Based on 23 Temple Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Scratchbuilt 1:20 Scale Miniature created from MDF, Wood, cardboard, plastic card, chalk pastels, spraypaint, wire, plastruct. Created for VOLTA Art Fair, New York City, March 2017. Photo Credit: Andrew Beveridge/ASB Creative

 

Scratchbuilt 1:20 Scale Miniature created from cardboard, paper, chalk pastels, spraypaint, wire, plastruct, paint markers. Created for VOLTA Art Fair, New York City, March 2017. Photo Credit: Andrew Beveridge/ASB Creative

 

1:20 Scratchbuilt miniature based off 135 Cedar Street, San Francisco. Wood, MDF, Plastruct, Cardboard, Paper, Plastic Card, Wire, Acrylic paint, Spraypaint, Chalk pastels. February 2016 SOLD. Photo Credit: Andrew Beveridge/ASB Creative

 

Scratchbuilt 1:20 Scale Miniature created from cardboard, paper, chalk pastels, spraypaint, wire, plastruct, paint markers. January 2016. SOLD. Private Collection. Photo Credit: Andrew Beveridge/ASB Creative

 

Based on 15 Pell Street, Chinatown, NYC. Beauty of Decay Solo Exhibition, DEW, Adelaide. Scratchbuilt 1:20 Scale Miniature created from Wood, MDF, Plastruct, Cardboard, Paper, Plastic Card, Wire, LED Lighting Spraypaint, Chalk pastels. January 2016. SOLD. Private Collection. Photo Credit: Eli (Cigarettes Might Kill You)

 

New Realities, Muriel Guepin Gallery, NYC. Wood, MDF, Plastruct, Cardboard, Paper, Plastic Card, Wire, LED Lighting Spraypaint, Chalk pastels. November-December 2015. Photo Credit: Mu Young