Like re-animated sea creatures from the Darwin Wing of the Natural History Museum, these animals look strangely alive, bubbling in their specimen bottles.

Steffen Dam’s glass sculptures are inspired by nature. (Photo: Tim Jones. Items displayed by Joanna Bird Pottery at Collect 2011, Saatchi Gallery, London)

In fact, this is the work of Danish glass sculptor Steffen Dam, one of the more nature-inspired craftsmen who grabbed my attention yesterday at Collect 2011– the Crafts Council-organised exhibition hosted by London’s Saatchi Gallery.

I say inspired, as Dam doesn’t claim his works are perfect scientific reproductions.  But they’re technically and aesthetically fascinating all the same, and piqued my interest for a closer look.

Steffen Dam was represented at the exhibition by Joanna Bird.