Most people toss animal bones away without a second thought. But for Aziz Ul Rehman, they are anything but waste. In his small, dimly lit workshop, he runs his fingers over a discarded sheep skull, its curling horns still intact, already envisioning the masterpiece it could become. Where others see scraps, he sees stories waiting to be told.

With delicate carvings, intricate patterns, and detailed craftsmanship, he transforms forgotten remains into art pieces that adorn homes and walls. For Aziz, bones aren’t just remnants of the past — they’re a canvas for something beautiful.

Aziz hails from the Gulab Bagh area of Srinagar city. After ditching his corporate job, the 25-year-old entrepreneur and artist began turning waste into wealth. His most outstanding and unconventional raw material? Animal bones.

He is likely the first artist in Kashmir to specialise in animal bone art, crafting wall décor, table décor, and jewellery from discarded materials. His work incorporates coconut shells, bones, horns, metal scraps, porcupine quills, and feathers. Additionally, he recycles large chunks of wood and fallen or abandoned trees found on streets and roadsides, turning them into unique pieces of wall decoration.

A passion beyond money

From a young age, Aziz was deeply fascinated by animals, plants, and the natural world. While others chased financial security, for him, money was never the priority — expressing himself through art was. In 2021, he took a bold step to reconnect with his inner self and envision a future rooted in creativity. That’s when he founded Stick and Bones, his official brand dedicated to transforming waste into meaningful art.

While juggling a corporate job, he spent five months in the profession before making a

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