Local Pasadena Mechanic Creates Beautiful Art from Scrap Metal
Pasadena Mechanic Turns Scrap Metal into Art
PASADENA, Calif. – Tro Khayalian, a mechanic with deep Armenian roots, is transforming discarded auto parts into intricate sculptures at a family-owned mechanic shop that has served the community for nearly 50 years. His work beautifully melds artistic expression with themes of identity, history, and survival, embodying the spirit of his heritage.
Khayalian’s craftsmanship can be seen in his latest collection, "Mind in Flight," which opens on April 9 at the Glenmark Hotel. This series features bird-inspired sculptures that symbolize freedom and the human life cycle, demonstrating how art can stem from personal experience and cultural memory.
Inside the bustling shop, Khayalian navigates a world filled with steel, noise, and tools, all while shaping metals into works of art. The garage, built by his father and uncle after immigrating from Syria, has profoundly influenced him—not just as a craftsman, but as an artist. “I’ve grown up here in the shop,” Khayalian stated. “I also love doing art.”
His approach to art is shaped by a keen eye and hands seasoned by years of working with metal. He sees potential in ordinary, discarded materials, redefining what it means to be "junk." Friends and family often bring him scraps, confident that he will breathe new life into what others might overlook. "Hey, make something out of this," they say as they hand over old spoons and screws.
Despite the physical toll of his dual trades, Khayalian finds solace in sculpting. He describes the process as both a challenge and a form of meditation. "It’s a different approach that I take to it," he explained, emphasizing that art allows him to release what he carries inside.
Much of Khayalian’s work draws from Armenian heritage, with one sculpture honoring the Armenian Genocide. He incorporates symbols of grief and survival, ensuring that history remains relevant today. “I want to show people what we have endured with all the pain through one of my sculptures,” he said, highlighting the meaningful elements embedded in his creations.
The space serves not just as a workshop but as an intimate reflection of Khayalian’s life. Customers seeking a repair often find themselves engaged in discussions about sculpture and symbolism. “It’s like my little museum,” he remarked, illustrating the connection between labor and art.
Khayalian’s personal life also inspires his creations. His wife, Maral, notes how ordinary experiences can spark new artistic ideas, recalling their shared fascination with the Johnny Depp trial, which led to a series of inspired works. Furthermore, the 2020 war in Armenia influenced him to delve deeper into his art, motivating him to express complex emotions through his pieces.
As the “Mind in Flight” exhibit approaches, Khayalian reflects on the journey of life and the connections that run through it. “It’s like a life story. We all start off alone, then we find our significant other, and then we build a home,” he explained.
In this Pasadena shop, Khayalian finds a way to channel his inner thoughts and emotions, crafting identities and memories from steel and fragments. "Whatever I have inside of me, I have to let it out," he said, emphasizing that his art is his voice.
Through his interpretations of identity, history, and the human experience, Khayalian offers a unique lens into both his heritage and the power of transformation.
