When you think of stone, you might be thinking of something hard and immoveable, something that lasts for millennia in firm, solid resolve.
But when sculptor José Manuel Castro López looks at a stone, he sees something very different.
His abstract sculptures basically resemble regular stones, the kind you might find in nature, but he adds subtle — yet unnerving — details that make the stones look as though they aren't stone at all, but rather something soft and organic.
And we don't just mean that he's good at making stone look like a living human — but rather, he makes it seem like the stones are themselves living creatures.
José's skill is remarkable in that his sculptures really look like they would be soft to the touch. Of course they aren't, but take a look at his pieces and tell us you're not imagining something squishy!
(h/t: Ufunk)
He adds small additions to the stones, making it look as though they've been folded, sliced, or wrinkled. The effect is a little unnerving.

Looking at this one, you might think you were looking at a beanbag, but it's a stone!

The hard, rigid stone suddenly appears soft and malleable — and curiously vulnerable.

His sculptures take all the properties of stone — hardness, solidity, and rigidness — and makes them look soft, flowing, and liquid.

His sculptures make it look as though someone has smeared or pinched the stone and left these marks. Obviously, these were made with great care and skill, and many tools, but it looks like someone just smudged this rock.

Other rocks look as though they've been peeled. The fact that his sculptures are so convincing is really incredible.

The sculptures are also a little uncomfortable. They challenge your senses, and throw off your sense of understanding.

Playing with textures and colors also adds to the effect. You can imagine a finger leaving this mark in this stone, as though it were the consistency of putty.

He'll also occasionally bring in other elements, like this one that appears to have been stitched up.

You can see more of José's work on his Facebook page, where he updates frequently with new projects.
And if someone you know likes unexpected and kind of unsettling art, be sure to SHARE his art with them!