Artist Paints Dark And Creepy Scenes Inspired By Industrial Decay And Folklore (30 Pics)

Through paintings, creatives can transport us to unique universes, and this time, Hari Ren, both artist and musician from Stalybridge, invites us into a world of industrial decay, folklore, and working-class interpretation—an eerie yet somewhat familiar realm.

So, let’s hop into the post and read more about Hari and his inspirations below.

More info:Instagram|r3n.io

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Eerie scenery with a dark cat silhouette, glowing red eyes, inspired by industrial decay and folklore.

First of all, we asked Hari to tell us more about himself, to which he wrote: “I’ve worked across different creative fields, from screen printing anarchist T-shirts to making artwork for museums, textile factories, and music projects. But at the core, everything I do is about storytelling - whether it’s through art, music, or writing.Punk’s always been a big influence - not just the music, but the DIY ethos, the raw energy, the refusal to conform. I also do singing, producing, and creating visuals for my band projects such as Black Light Mutants (anarcho-punk/industrial) and Romance of Broken Minds (cold wave/industrial/goth). For me, the medium isn’t important - it’s the message and the atmosphere that matter most.”

Punk’s always been a big influence - not just the music, but the DIY ethos, the raw energy, the refusal to conform. I also do singing, producing, and creating visuals for my band projects such as Black Light Mutants (anarcho-punk/industrial) and Romance of Broken Minds (cold wave/industrial/goth). For me, the medium isn’t important - it’s the message and the atmosphere that matter most.”

Eerie industrial decay scene with dark figure by river, red sky background.

Eerie scenery painting with silhouette in an industrial decay setting, bathed in a red glow.

The artist shared that he has been making art for as long as he can remember, both on paper and digitally. Hari wrote: “In the early ’90s, I got a Commodore Amiga 600 for Christmas, along with Deluxe Paint III, and I probably spent more time drawing on that than playing games!”

Man in a dim bar with a hunter’s trophy, inspired by industrial decay and folklore.

Eerie scenery painting with crows, inspired by industrial decay and folklore, with a dark, atmospheric backdrop.

As for the theme behind Hari’s artwork, he commented: “My work blurs the line between industrial decay, folklore, and working-class history, creating eerie, atmospheric scenes that feel both familiar and unsettling.

Painting of eerie scenery with a haunting figure holding a mug, inspired by industrial decay and folklore.

Eerie scenery painting inspired by industrial decay, showing a dilapidated storefront with a black cat and crates of produce.

“But there’s something off - there is an eerie red pull to the town, black cats with glowing eyes lurk in the alleys, and there’s a sense that the town itself is alive, watching. Visually, I work with bold reds and blacks, creating a mood that’s both intriguing and unsettling, pulling people in while hinting at something lurking beneath the surface.”

Eerie art depicting a laundromat scene with stained clothes, inspired by industrial decay and folklore.

Eerie scenery painting depicting a sinister gathering in a dimly lit room, influenced by industrial decay and folklore.

I work mostly digitally these days, combining photo composites, rough collages, and overpainting to construct a scene. I use matte painting techniques to build texture and atmosphere, adding grain, rough edges, and subtle distortions to make it feel like a fragment of a larger world. The final step is always about mood - balancing light, shadow, and color to create that eerie, unsettling feeling.”

Eerie artwork of industrial decay depicts an old building with red door and gloomy sky.

Eerie scenery depicting shadowy figures with red eyes in a snowy, industrial town setting.

Every artist has somewhat of an idea of what they would like for the audiences to take away. Hari shared his hopes: “I want people to feel like they’ve stepped into a world that exists just outside of reality - a place that feels familiar but slightly wrong, like they’ve been there before but can’t remember when.I love the idea of sparking curiosity and storytelling - making people wonder who lives in these places, what’s behind those dimly lit windows, and what’s lurking just out of sight. My work isn’t about giving clear answers; it’s about suggesting possibilities and leaving gaps for people to fill in with their own imagination.I also hope it resonates with those who feel a connection to working-class history, industrial landscapes, and forgotten places - reminding people that there’s beauty in decay, in the remnants of industry, and in the things most people overlook.”

I love the idea of sparking curiosity and storytelling - making people wonder who lives in these places, what’s behind those dimly lit windows, and what’s lurking just out of sight. My work isn’t about giving clear answers; it’s about suggesting possibilities and leaving gaps for people to fill in with their own imagination.

I also hope it resonates with those who feel a connection to working-class history, industrial landscapes, and forgotten places - reminding people that there’s beauty in decay, in the remnants of industry, and in the things most people overlook.”

Man with red mohawk sits at a table with a can, surrounded by a decaying industrial townscape outside the window.

Eerie painting depicting dark figures, inspired by industrial decay and folklore, with red and black tones.

Lastly, Hari added: “Right now, I’m focused on expanding The Harrowden Project, bringing more depth to the town - more locations, more strange histories, more glimpses into its eerie folklore. I’m also developing Mamucium City, a cyberpunk project, where corporate surveillance clashes with an underground resistance. I also have another ongoing project, Pubs Of England, a series of paintings based on my time drinking in Northern England’s pubs. Alongside that, I’m continuing my punk, anarchist, and political artwork, making prints, clothing, and stickers that focus on resistance, class struggle, and direct action - many of which support grassroots causes.Thanks for reading! If you love eerie industrial landscapes, folklore, and forgotten places, you’re always welcome to step into my world. You can find more of my work on mywebsiteandsocials- come have a look!”

Thanks for reading! If you love eerie industrial landscapes, folklore, and forgotten places, you’re always welcome to step into my world. You can find more of my work on mywebsiteandsocials- come have a look!”

Eerie scenery painting inspired by industrial decay and folklore, featuring a dark tower under ominous skies.

Painting of eerie scenery with a figure in a dark room, inspired by industrial decay and folklore.

Eerie scenery painting with an industrial decay theme, featuring a dark house and ominous red sky.

Eerie artwork inspired by industrial decay and folklore, featuring two figures and a menacing, red-tinted central figure.

Eerie scenery painted with industrial decay, folklore, and working-class town elements.

Eerie scenery painting of industrial decay with a shadowy figure, abandoned structure, and laundry machine in a dim setting.

Eerie painting of ghostly figures with animal-like masks inspired by industrial decay and folklore.

Eerie scenery painting with industrial decay and working-class town, featuring dark alley and red bins.

Eerie scenery of a stern man in a suit, painted against an industrial backdrop, embodying decay and folklore.

An eerie painting featuring an old building with red windows and a sign reading “The Velvet Toad,” inspired by industrial decay.

Eerie scenery painting with industrial decay, showing crows and a barren landscape under a dark sky.

Eerie scenery painting of woman rowing a boat through industrial decay, with folklore and working-class town backdrop.

Man in dark suit and hat against eerie industrial decay background, inspired by folklore and working-class towns.