This Artist's Tiny Cityscapes Prove That It Really Is A Small World

City skylines look stunning from far away, but when we’re ripped away from this gorgeous sense of removal and thrown into the fray, those views give way to gritty street corners and gum-covered sidewalks.

That being said, there’s something transformative about urban photography. Instead of capturing inspiring panoramas of postcard-worthy cityscapes from afar, these creators get up-close and personal with grit and grime to present it to us in a more flattering light.

And more often than not, they succeed in doing so. They turn subway tiles fused with dirty grout into works of art. They turn slimy cobblestones into visions that we understand as being beautiful.

But this isn’t a photograph. Artist Ryan Monahan does not point camera lenses at brick walls, lay on the cold ground to immortalize crushed coffee cups, or take photos of the newsstands on his block. Not for this series, anyway.

Instead, he builds tiny worlds that combine the intricacy of miniature sculpture with the aesthetic of urban photography.

As he explains on his website, “The majority of my works, with the exception of one or two pieces, are all fictional structures and businesses created by me. That’s part of the art!”

He’s been creating art since he “could hold anything that left a mark,” and along with creating these miniatures, he dabbles in fine art and graphic design. His sculpture work has garnered the most attention, however, and you don’t need me to tell you why.

“The process can take several weeks or even months to complete, depending on the complexity of the piece,” he writes. “With miniatures, there is a great amount of fine detail involved.”

Monahan’s unique approach to city life and urban art further proves that even the smallest perspectival shifts can totally change the way we experience the world around us.

For more from Ryan Monahan, be sure to visit his website and check out the rest of what this multi-talented guy can do! For regular updates, follow him on Instagram.