Klein Sun Gallery hosts Chinese artist Li Hongbo’s ‘Tools of Study’ exhibition displaying stretchy paper sculptures formed as marble sculptures on January 23, 2014 in New York City. (Bilgin Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
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Li Hongbo’s sculptures will blow your mind. You’ll think that what you’re looking at is made out of porcelain or marble, but it’s actually paper. Hongbo’s fascination with paper began when he worked as a book editor. His knowledge of different qualities of the material now lends itself to his artistic craft. With one touch, stoic figures suddenly become mobile, shattering their original function and form.
Hongbo was initially inspired by Chinese paper gourds, hung during weddings and festivals; but now he takes inspiration from everyday objects, which he feels are more relatable to the average person. The artist can use up thousands of sheets of paper per sculpture, with the finished product taking several months to complete.
Paper sculptures of Russian writer Maxim Gorky, Greek goddess Athena, Michelangelo’s masterpiece David and many more art pieces are made of 7,000 pieces of papers and weigh more than 26 lbs. (Bilgin Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
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A guest enjoys the artwork by Li Hongbo on display attends the Art Miami 2016 VIP Preview at Art Miami Pavilion on November 29, 2016, in Miami, Florida. (Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Art Miami)
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Klein Sun Gallery hosts Chinese artist Li Hongbo’s ‘Tools of Study’ exhibition displaying stretchy paper sculptures formed as marble sculptures on January 23, 2014, in New York City. (Bilgin Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Klein Sun Gallery hosts Chinese artist Li Hongbo’s ‘Tools of Study’ exhibition displaying stretchy paper sculptures formed as marble sculptures (Bilgin Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A Paper Sculpture entitled ‘Girl’ created by Chinese sculptor Li Hongbo displayed at Art Stage Singapore. (Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images)
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—RealClearLife Staff
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