PaperCraft: Research

     Whether it was to write something down, doodle, or read from a book, the usage of paper has become a standard in our society. We don’t view paper as a very flexible medium outside of making marks on its surface; what else is it good for? Artists have asked themselves this same question and set out to redefine how we use paper. The creation of hyper-realistic heads, miniature twisting roller coasters, and colorful paper villages are only a few examples of how artists are reconceptualizing our use of paper.

Vincent Tomczyk is an artist who uses paper to create ultra realistic versions of everyday items such as clothes, benches, and especially chairs. The result of these meticulously crafted life-like objects are confusing to the mind. The jean shorts and shirt are so believable that it’s hard to imagine they’re made of paper, while the armchair looks so soft and worn-in it’s tempting you to take a seat in it. The astonishing details in each piece are carefully crafted by hand, and the colours in each work are hand-painted; the artist never relies on any sort of digital printing.

Tomczyk’s work serves to stimulate a visceral connection between his work and reality. He explains that “Although my work can be categorized as realism, my intention is to distill the emotion of an object, then through expression, reconstruct it into my view of its essential self – free of function.” Vincent Tomczyk raises questions about the utilization of objects in everyday life. His work clearly depicts the objects they’re modelled after- but is a chair still a chair if it crumbles underneath your weight? 

What’s inspiring about Tomczyk’s work is that it has a unique take on realism as a genre. The painstaking detail and effort that the artist puts into each piece is almost dismissed by the fact that it is made out of paper. Tomczyk achieved perfect realism if it wasn’t for the fact that each object utterly fails to accomplish its purpose. Why spend so many hours crafting a perfect replica of a chair if never to sit in it? The irony in Vincent Tomczyk’s work is what makes it so special, and forces us to recognize and appreciate the ordinary beauty in everyday objects.