Brain explosion: Japanese creates folding paper sculptures (Photo)

At first glance, it may seem that his figures are made of gypsum, porcelain and marble, but that is only an optical illusion. The artist achieves a magical effect with ordinary paper. Moreover, the creations he created are able to stretch and bend, which turns our ideas about the birth of classical sculpture. And creepy, and beautiful, and bewitching.

Li Hongbo admits that thanks to the paper he is in contact with the outside world. This is his main way of expressing his thoughts and feelings. How did it all begin?

Li Hongbo was born in 1974 in Jilin Province, China. From early childhood, became interested in drawing. But most of all he was attracted to paper, the flexibility of which he drew attention to when he saw how Chinese lanterns are made. The artist took the technique of creating such flashlights as the basis of his work, though slightly changing it.

And for the first time, Li Hongbo began to set up independent experiments with paper in 2008. And his debut work was a paper gun. Now, Li Hongbo can create virtually any shape out of paper.

But most of all the audience is admired by the busts of the greats performed by Li Hongbo. For example, they were presented at the Tools of Study exhibition, held at the Klein Sun Gallery in New York. During the exhibition, visitors to the gallery could see Michelangelo, David, Maxim Gorky and many other famous characters.

Li Hongbo admits that he developed an interest in “revitalizing” busts while he was still in art school. Then the sitters did not have the patience to sit until the end of the art session. And to help students were offered busts of the great. Li Hongbo explains that they became his main mentors and friends. And the artist wanted to give them a new life.