Really Incredible Paper Art Sculptures

Outstanding Paper Art 
Sculptures of Native American scenes made out of paper by Allen and Patty Eckman

These stunningly detailed sculptures may only be made from paper - 

but they are being snapped up by art fans for tens of thousands of pounds. 

The intricate creations depict Native American scenes and took up to 11 months 

to make using a specially formulated paper.

Husband and wife team Allen and Patty Eckman 

put paper pulp into clay moulds 

and pressurise it to remove the water

The hard, lightweight pieces are then removed 

and the couple painstakingly add 

detailed finishings with a wide range of tools.

They have been making the creations since 1987 at their home studio, 

in South Dakota, America, 

and have racked up a whopping £ 3 million selling the works of art

The pieces depict traditional scenes from 

Native American history of Cherokees hunting and dancing

The most expensive piece is called Prairie Edge Powwow which sold for £47,000

Allen said: "We create Indians partly because my great, great grandmother 

was a Cherokee and my family on both sides admire the native Americans...

I work on the men and animals and Patty does 

the women and children" explains Allen.

"I enjoy most doing the detail. The paper really lends itself to unlimited detail. 

I'm really interested in the Indians' material, physical and spiritual culture 

and that whole period of our nation's history I find fascinating. 

From the western expansion, through the Civil War and beyond is of great interest to me."

Allen explained their technique: "It should not be confused with papier mache. 

The two mediums are completely different. I call what we do 'cast paper sculpture'"

..."Some of them we create are lifesize and some we scale down to 1/6 lifesize"

"These sculptures are posed as standing nude figures 

and limited detailed animals with no ears, tails or hair"

"We transform them by sculpting on top of them - creating detail 

with soft and hard paper we make in various thicknesses and textures.

"We have really enjoyed the development of our fine art techniques over the years 

and have created a process that is worth sharing. There are many artists 

and sculptors who we believe will enjoy this medium as much as we have."

August 2010