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 pressurize it to remove the water. The hard, lightweight pieces are then removed and the couple painstakingly add detailed finishing's with a wide range of tools.
They have been making the creations since 1987 at their home studio, in South Dakota , 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 life-size and some we scale down to 1/6 life-size "Some 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
16 comments:
I was just thinking 'why, why, why?' would anyone spend that much time and effort.. and then I saw the $47,000 ;-)
~Juniper~
They look so delicate. Not papier mache at all.
Incredible. So much detail!
Wow those are amazing and hard to believe they are paper. The detail is incredible.
Beautiful! And certainly very unique. :-)
It amazes mw where ingenuity & imagination can take certain talented people. These are lovely.
Such talent and what wonder... really amazing and beautiful and way out of my price range.
What gorgeous pieces of art...I love this stuff Judy. It never ceases to amaze me at the delicate detailed work some people are capable of. Stunning. ~Joy
The art is so beautiful that I would have to put it in a fully enclosed glass box if I owned it. I shudder to think what would happen if a glass of water got tipped over on it.
It is most unique in the medium used.
Amazing, amazing, amazing!
Reminds me of the guy who makes art sculptures so small they fit in the eye of a needle. Mind boggling stuff.
Beautiful!
These are truly incredible! Really Beautiful...I cannot get over the "detail"...I mean,they truly have perfected their ART!
No comment other than- WOW ! Again, the creativity of man astounds me.
Those are beautiful and I would never know they were made of paper.
I read you post about the garage sale and I have to say that's one of those things I've never wanted to deal with although I have a lot of stuff I'd like to get rid of. I know you're glad to have it done with.
These are wonderful even just as photos. Astonishing as sculpture.
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