Adolescent Stag Beetle by Martin Scorey, Scorched Douglas Fir & Hooves and Antler, Unique, 45cm high by 68cm wide by 68cm deep, Animals and Birds, Nature sculpture, Insect sculpture

Adolescent Stag Beetle by Martin Scorey blends sculpture with natural history. This unique artwork, measuring 45cm high, 68cm wide, and 68cm deep, reimagines a stag beetle using scorched Douglas fir, deer antlers, and hooves. It’s bold, raw, and unmistakably organic.

At first glance, the beetle’s form feels familiar. But look closer, its mandibles are actually deer antlers. These arch out from the head, sharp and curved, giving the insect an imposing, almost mythical appearance. The artist replaces traditional legs with six deer hooves. These hooves are solid and textured, adding both weight and movement to the creature’s stance.

The body, made from scorched Douglas fir, anchors the piece. The blackened surface suggests a burnt shell or protective armor. This charring also creates strong visual contrast with the lighter, natural tones of the antlers and hooves. As a result, each element stands out clearly.

Scorey doesn’t just sculpt an insect, he transforms it. By fusing animal parts and charred wood, he explores themes of identity, transformation, and the strange harmony of nature’s forms. The beetle looks ancient and futuristic at once, like a forest spirit frozen mid-stride.

Adolescent Stag Beetle is grounded in nature yet alive with imagination. It invites curiosity, surprises with detail, and lingers in the mind like a dream half remembered.