When you talk about folded papger projects, or pop-ups, people immediately think of paper air planes. However, the fine art of paper sculpture and paper engineering are those who take paper to the next level. Designing, cutting, folding, bending imbossing, debossing and construction using paper is truly a demanding art. Here, we present some of the most creative artwork you will ever see.

Eleanor Lutz: White Shadows

Unfortunately, little is known of Eleanor Lutz ("HelloFromTheMoon" at Flickr), and this cut paper sculpture may be her one and only paper piece. Inspired by such artists as M C Escher, Eleanor uses sharpies, colored pencils and knives for crafting her art -- particularly cutting paper and wood. And that's about all we know.
Eleanor Lutz: White Shadows

Elodole / Elod Beregszaszi

Elod is in love with paper, making it cutting it folding it embossing tearing sculpting. His creative enterprise goes under the name of POPUPOLOGY at flickr.com
Elodole / Elod Beregszaszi

Sculpture by Simon Schubert

Simon Schubert as paper sculptor has decorated rooms of paper, to entire living space from wrapping paper. You will find his works considerable -- however, the site is all in German.
Sculpture by Simon Schubert

Su Blackwell Crafts from London

Su Blackwell is an independent Arts and Crafts professional from London, United Kingdom. Her works are stunning as she has accomplished master level so early in her life. (See sample two, and three
Su Blackwell Crafts from London

Extraordinary Emma Van Leest

Emma Van Leest is a paper sculptor urrently based in Melbourne. Paper cutting is one thing we've all done -- but never to the extraordinary visiions accomplished by Emma. See more of her art in these samples one, two and three
Extraordinary Emma Van Leest

Eliasson's Book of Architecture

Olafur Eliasson specializes in books that offer a lot more than reading! Each page is cut with lasers so that shows increcible precise cutting -- this particular project represents three months of work!
Eliasson's Book of Architecture

Jolis Paons' Paper Dress

This amazing paper dress sculpture was made by Jolis Paons from pages out of a telephone book -- student work! She pleated, stuck, sewed, and glued everything by hand. She writes: "I am inspired by anything whimsical, creepy, french, mysterious, courageous, new, old, beautiful, funny, and on and on and on."
Enlarge samples: one, two
Jolis Paons' Paper Dress

On The Other Side

We introduced you to Peter Callesen, København S Denmark, several years ago in our holiday column. Hworks almost exclusively with white paper in different objects, paper cuts, installations and performances. A large part of his work is made from A4 sheets of paper. Visit this site and see some rather stunning examples of work -- not just cut paper but sculpture and 'performances' as well!
On The Other Side

So, next time you've got some hours to kill, some nice white paper and a few sharp X-Acto blades, try your hand at paper folding and cutting. You'll quickly see that it is a very difficult art. It takes an engineers logic, an accountant's attention to detail, an artist's eye and the patience few creative people have. If you get so inspired as to delve deeper into the skills and craft of paper cutting, take a look at my wish list of books on the subject. Any of these will get you started on the right foot!

Thanks for reading

Don't forget ... we encourage you to share your discoveries about favorite or famous graphic designers and illustrators with other readers. Just comment below, or give me a tweet at Twitter/DTG_Magazine