Wales-based artist Polly Verity began her journey with paper at a young age, as “the idea that you could transform a flat sheet into three dimensions was very exciting” to her, and she’s been experimenting with paper ever since. Varity’s recent work has garnered wide admiration as her “kissing paper faces” have been going viral on social media, and not just among paper enthusiasts, but winning over the hearts of the art world.
As in the ancient tradition of origami, the sculptures are each created by folding a single sheet of paper and there are no cuts
The origin of Verity’s work lay in the practice of modern origami, as she specializes in transforming single sheets of paper into surprising three-dimensional tessellations, a genre more commonly called curve-crease origami sculpture – a style the Bauhaus first experimented with in the 1920s. Verity’s paper folding designs follow this more recent investigation and because there were at that time no books written on the subject, she has been helped along the way by some very brilliant friends in the origami world.
She miraculously turns single sheets of paper, a material often perceived as having many limitations – into beautiful sculptures. Without making a single cut or drop of glue.
What makes Verity’s work truly astonishing is the way she seems to manipulate the material that has such non-yielding characteristics. But she miraculously turns single sheets of paper, a material often perceived as having many limitations – into beautiful sculptures. Without making a single cut or drop of glue.
Transforming a single piece of paper, something so ordinary and mundane, into something extra-ordinary and special, almost feels like magic. Understanding and using it to her advantage, Verity often opts for white or monochrome paper, to maximize the drama and detail, and eliminate “distractions for the eye in the medium itself”. The artist’s most recent work has taken a more sensual direction, as her latest exhibition “no ordinary love” at the One Hundred Shoreditch which celebrated Valentine’s Day showcased Verity’s famous kissing portraits, as well as more intimate paper sculptures. All in the name of self-love. Follow the artist’s work on Instagram for more inspiration, or check out her webshop to own your own unique folded paper sculpture.
© Polly Verity