# Circuit Board Fossils Peter McFarlane Creates Stunning Found Object Art By Cody Turner | Published 2012-10-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peter-mcfarlane References: [thisiscolossal](http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2012/10/circuit-board-fossils-paintings-and-other-found-object-sculptures-by-peter-mcfarlane/) & [petermcfarlane](http://petermcfarlane.com/) Conceptual-based sculptor, mixed media and installation artist Peter McFarlane has been producing an intriguing series of [circuit board fossils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/future-fossils-1), paintings and sculptures that all use [found objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/assemblage-7-lost-and-found-ii). Using objects that others would just throw out, McFarlane creates beautiful masterpieces out of circuit boards. They feature the exoskeletons of various animals like a lizard, a fish or a snake; others use wires and metal to create features or a bird's nest. McFarlane states on his site, "To me, waste is just lack of imagination...No object is beyond artistic merit, meaning and metaphor. So why throw it out?" He also has a great collection of [chainsaw sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funeral-for-a-tree) that were just on display at the Pegasus Gallery in Salt Sprints Island, British Columbia. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Found Object Art:** There is an opportunity for artists to disrupt the traditional art world by creating stunning masterpieces using found objects. - **Upcycling:** Incorporating discarded materials, such as circuit boards, into art and design opens up opportunities for sustainable and environmentally-friendly creations. - **Metaphorical Sculptures:** Artists can explore meaningful and metaphorical interpretations by using unconventional materials, like circuit boards, to create sculptures. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art:** The art industry can embrace the trend of circuit board fossils and other found object art as a unique and innovative approach to creating masterpieces. - **Design:** The design industry can explore the use of upcycled and repurposed materials, like circuit boards, to create sustainable and eco-friendly products and installations. - **Technology:** The technology industry can find disruptive innovation opportunities by repurposing discarded circuit boards for artistic and decorative purposes, showcasing the intersection of art and technology. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Printed Circuit Sconces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/printed-circuit.md) - [Abandoned Bikes-Turned Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/objects-from-frames.md) - [Repurposed Sawdust Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sawdust-low-table.md) - [Sophisticated Upcycled Home Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basket-sculptures.md) - [Repurposed Studio Scrap Pottery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daon-pottery.md) - [Almost-Extinct Animal Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fauna-series.md) - [Repurposed Vintage Apple Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/repurposed-vintage-apple-computers.md) - [Resin Hardware Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-hardware.md)