When you look at the work of Estonian illustrator, graphic designer and art director Eiko Ojala, it’s hard to imagine it’s just flat pieces of paper. Even in printed form his works seem to spring from the page, bringing a surprising extra layer of dynamic detail to his otherwise wonderful illustrative style. As you can see, this is far beyond typical arts & crafts time. [Read more...]
Looking something like wireframe models built out of paper, artist Jill Sylvia creates her insanely detailed architectural models out of a very unique material: hand-cut ledger paper. Using the often book-bound sheets of lined paper, she cuts minuscule holes between each of the sheets colored lines, giving the paper a perforated surface that becomes partially see-through. Once assembled, her models of classic U.S. architecture like the White House, Jefferson Memorial and U.S. Capitol Building, reveal their hidden inner details – like magnificent columns and domed ceilings. [Read more...]
Looking like 3D versions of stained glass windows or ancient mandalas, these insanely intricate paper-cut sculptures use hundreds of layers of paper to build up their peacefully meditative forms. Each piece looks as if it was carved into a single block of multi-colored paper strata, revealing complex repeating geometric patterns buried in its depths. Even more interesting, not only do these works have depth, but also bands or bridges of paper floating over the carved away sections below. What results are overlapping, interwoven patterns that draw one in to explore what lies underneath. [Read more...]
Popping out of a single sheet of white paper, these sculptures push the limit of possibility in paper arts. Artist Peter Callesen uses only a knife and folds to create amazingly detailed 3D scenes, leaving the empty space on the flat page as reminders of how the shapes where created (sometimes from surprising shapes). See a huge collection of Callesen’s work at petercallesen.com [Read more...]
In a process of creative addition and subtraction, artist Kuin Heuff creates her intricate portraits of men. Looking like intricate wood cuts, each painting began as a complete portrait on paper, Heuff then studies the brush stroke patterns and form of the painting and starts cutting away pieces. Her results are portraits with a light, lace-like structure that still retains its painterly color. For more on this Rotterdam based artists work including a selection of her uncut paintings see kuinheuff.nl. [Read more...]
Cleverly returning a hint of their paper based origins, artist Kylie Stillman takes old discarded books and carefully carves inverted bonzai tree reliefs in their pages. Her works come at a time when book art and carving are gaining in popularity, yet her works stand out as unique examples in the young trend. The Australian artist got her start at carving books in 2006 when she trimmed a bird into a discarded tome; she later gave her birds a place to sit, progressing to potted plants and now her current tree carvings. For her latest work featuring trees carved in stacks of boldly colored paper, see her website kyliestillman.com. [Read more...]
Wilhelm Staehle’s hand cut silhouettes quickly reveal the underlying cleverness that their tame Victorian looks conceal. His delicate work remixes the past into a sarcastic, darkly humorous parallel universe of rock playing harpists and patriotic bear puns. You can find his prints available at thebazaarium.com
