So Steampunk has been around for a while now, and I started to like it long before I knew it was a “thing”. You know how you see something and you like it but you don’t know what its called, or how to explain it? Yeah, That. That is how my love for Steampunk started to grow. I saw bits and pieces in video games and movies and finally in photography and art, realizing slowly that it is a thing. I am glad to tell you that yes it is a thing now (officially haha) and its pretty awesome and celebrated in the creative geek world. Come with me on this journey and let us explore the mysterious world of Steampunk Art!
What is Steampunk?
A very difficult question to answer since the whole genre is so broad and encompasses so many different things, technology, stories, themes, etc. It seems to have started as a literary genre, or at least some type of subgenre of science fiction and fantasy that also includes social or technological inspiration from the 19th century (mostly, the steam) which is usually paired with some deconstruction of, reimagining of, or rebellion against parts of it (the punk). However, it means a lot of different things to a lot of different people as it has been a poorly defined subgenre, with plenty of disagreement about what is and is not included. Let us take a look at what wikipedia has to say about this phenomenon of a genre!
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Therefore, steampunk works are often set in an alternate history of the 19th century’s British Victorian era or American “Wild West”, in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power. Steampunk perhaps most recognizably features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, and is likewise rooted in the era’s perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art. Such technology may include fictional machines like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the modern authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld, and China Mieville. Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace’s Analytical Engine.
Steampunk may also, though not necessarily, incorporate additional elements from the genres of fantasy, horror, historical fiction, alternate history, or other branches of speculative fiction, making it often a hybrid genre. The term steampunk originated during the 1980s and early 1990s, though now retroactively refers to many works of fiction created even as far back as the 19th century itself.
Steampunk also refers to any of the artistic styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures, that have developed from the aesthetics of steampunk fiction. Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical “steampunk” style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk.
You can easily get lost in the world of Steampunk, as you can see, So lets do it! Today we have showcased some of the coolest, most interesting, and inspirational pieces of art from the Steampunk genre that we have found (so far). We have a little something for everyone – the crafty geek, the artist, the tech and gadget geek, you name it. We have Steampunk art that is in the hand drawn illustration form that is just stunning! We have some gadgets that were lovingly crafted by super hardcore steampunk geeks and we have some awesome Cosplay that shows off the finished products! Whatever you are working on I hope you travel back in time (or forward? into the future?) and get inspired to add some retro futuristic steampunk flair to your projects! Whatever you are working on though, I hope that you ENJOY!
ERMAHGERD GEEKGASM! Steampunk + Portal = WIN
This watch is incredibly awesome, and you can actually buy them! However, the Price is $25,000, which is not awesome at all lol
BEAUTIFUL Steampunk Darth Vader Mask! This is actually from a DIY Tutorial so check it out and make your own!!
Oh my knees. They are weak. *drools*
Oh man, would be so cool if stuff like this was real! Real life Iron Giant! lol
Super Epic Steampunk Cosplay! Love the painted Nerf gun! I love those guns, they are my favs, you can pick them up fairly cheap now too! This is actually a photo-manipulation though of the original photography, but still, well done!
ze goggles, zey do nothing! lol beautiful portrait of steampunk though!
WOW – Steampunk Clockwork Spider!!
Badass Steampunk Ring!
Its freakin’ steampunk batman! How could that be more awesome!?
Steampunk Scorpion! Ahhhh!
Awesome Steampunk Cosplay Overload.
MY GOD. SO AWESOME. That Face Piece!
LOVE STEAMPUNK VADER!
That is the coolest pin ever. Steampunk Jewelry FTW!
That is just freaking incredible. Love it.
Love custom nerf guns, especially when steampunk is involved!
Another epic nerf gun turned steampunk!
LOVE this steampunk camera case mod, so creative! (there are even some behind the scenes how-to pics)
Well designed steampunk camera icon!
Awesome Steampunk Rat Rod, thats hot.
Another sexy steampunk ride!
These people have probably the coolest house ever. Steampunk inspiration all over! (click through for more pics of their house)
This guy is a steampunk BAMF!! Roger Wood with all of his steampunk creations! (he mostly does clocks I believe)
Here are one of his awesome clocks, valued at the time at $1,500. A Steampunk mantel clock! It was actually part of an exhibition titled “Steampunk, Form and Function, an Exhibition of Innovation, Invention and Gadgetry” at a Waltham, Mass., museum. (click through for some more pics from that museum)
Best Steampunk Cosplay Ever. Hot.
Custom Steampunk Stormtrooper Helmet FTW!
MOST EPIC PORTAL GUN EVER!
WANT that Gauntlet!!
Beautifully Crafted Steampunk Magnifying Glass! I Do Say!
This steampunk metro is awesome, and the story behind it is awesome as well.
Imagine an entire city based on steampunk.
Awesome steampunk inspired logo design – reminds me of the old aperture science studios in Portal 2 haha
Sweet book cover illustration! Steampunk ftw! (of course he says it wasn’t the final design, Designers know that feel AMIRITE!?)
This is a super fascinating series of studies with Organic Hardware Design – Steampunk Science in real life!?
Cyberpunk!
Epic Steampunk Boba Fett Cosplay!
Epic Steampunk Typography
Coolest equalizer ever.
Fantasy steampunk building!
Love that guys mechanical arm!
Steampunk Wheatley! Love Wheatley.
Steampunk Santa Approves This Christmas.
Sweet Cosplay from ComicCon
USB STEAMPUNK CUFFLINKS!
Quite!
Another epic portal gun rendition!
Need even more steampunk inspiration!? Check out these epic steampunk computer modifications!
39 Amazing Steampunk Computer Mods
What was your favorite Steampunk Design? Have you created any Steampunk Art? Let us know in the comments below! We would love to hear from YOU! Thanks for Reading!!
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I hope you can help me.
I am looking for a steampunk artist to draw a specific tattoo… I am very particular and have ideas.
Anyone game?