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31 Artists Who Transform Ordinary Paper Into Astonishing Works of Art

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Shape-Shifting Paper Sculpture Resembling Stone
Artist: Li Hongbo
Read more: Astonishing Stretchable Paper Sculptures Appear to Be Made of Stone

Paper is one of the great artistic chameleons. This easily accessible material that’s used in crafting incredible, gallery-worthy works of art is the same that contains crude sketchbook doodles never meant to see the light of day. It’s this fascinating dichotomy that entices creatives to experiment and use paper art as the centerpiece of their work.

Depending on technique, paper can look wildly different. Chinese artist Li Hongbo is enthralled by “the endless possibilities of paper” and transforms the everyday material into something truly astonishing—stone sculptures that stretch in front of our very eyes. Moving from rock to rope, Gunjan Aylawdi seemingly weaves intricate tapestries. But, they’re not tapestries at all—they're tiny pieces of rolled paper that look like string.

Of course, some artists choose to celebrate paper art for what it is, and therefore don’t try to hide its origins. One way this is done is through books. Both Isobelle Ouzman and Guy Laramee use discarded books as the starting point for their creations. Ouzman opens the book and extracts pieces of paper while Laramee transforms a novel’s edges into sprawling mountainscapes.

See how 31 artists, illustrators, and animators turn humble sheet of paper into stunning works of art.

Which of this paper art is your favorite?

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Baroque Paper Wig
Artist: Asya Kozina

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Delicate Paper Cutouts from a Single Sheet of Paper
Artist: Parth Kothekar
Read more: Artist Delicately Cuts Paper to Look Like Whimsical Illustrations

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Landscapes Created in the Edges of Old Books
Artist: Guy Laramee
Read more: Secondhand Novels Are Carved into Extraordinary Mountainous Landscapes

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Realistic Animals Created from Twisted Newspaper
Artist: Chie Hitotsuyama
Read more: Artist Tightly Rolls Newspaper to Craft Incredibly Detailed Animal Sculptures

Stunning Works of Paper Art

“Cloud City” Iridescent Paper Sculpture
Artist: MakerieStudio
Read more: Beautifully Crafted Paper City Highlights Intricate Patterns in Moroccan Culture

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Intricate Paper Cutouts Resembling Stained Glass Windows
Artist: Eric Standley
Read more: Intricately Cut Paper Sculptures Mimic Stained Glass Windows

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Watercolor Paper Diorama
Artist: Mar Cerdà

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Cut Paper Portraits of Heroines
Artist: Morgana Wallace

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Layered Geometric Paper Sculptures
Artist: Maud Vantours
Read more: Multicolored Layered Paper Sculptures by Maud Vantours

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Paper Sculpture Made Entirely from Scraps
Artist: Lydia Ricci

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Forest-Inspired Display for Hermes Store
Artist: Zim & Zou
Read more: New Exquisitely Crafted Paper Sculptures from Zim & Zou

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Paper Tapestry
Artist: Gunjan Aylawadi

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Animated Paper Architecture
Artist: Paperholm

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Psychedelic Paper Sculpture
Artist: Jen Stark
Read more: Interview: The Colorfully Psychedelic Art of Jen Stark

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Naturalistic Paper Specimens
Artist: Woodlucker

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Fantastical Paper Illustrations
Artist: Elsa Mora

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Empowering Floral Wreath
Artist: Grace Chin

Stunning Works of Paper Art

3D Illustrations Carved into Discarded Books
Artist: Isobelle Ouzman
Read more: Beautiful 3D Illustrations Breathe New Life into Discarded Books

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Intricate Papercut Illustrations
Artist: Riu
Read more: Intricately Detailed Papercut Designs Reflect Beauty of the Natural World

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Intricate Paper Cutouts Peek Behind Wallpaper
Artist: Charles Clary
Read more: Meticulously Carved Layers of Paper Revealed Behind Peeling Wallpaper

Stunning Works of Paper Art

Pets Reimagined as Regal Paper Portraits
Artist: People Too

Paper Food Animation
Animator: Papermeal

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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