Paper Sculpture: Fluid Forms

Paper is a readily available and inexpensive sculptural media. Pliable, ephemeral and easily manipulated with simple tools, it is a medium with which the artist can form three-dimensional shapes quickly through precise folding and cutting.

Richard Sweeney is a British artist and designer who has exhibited his extraordinary paper sculptures all over the world. His aim in Fluid Forms is to show how the basic principles of form-making in paper can be useful for artists, architects and fashion designers. Once mastered, these can then be expanded on and explored with the help of Sweeneys step-by-step analysis of the techniques he uses in the creation of his work. Sweeney leads you through the three stages of his process, from the initial conceptual stage (whether drawing on natural or architectural forms for inspiration), to the basic shapes (modular, in column, or dynamic), and finally to the folding techniques, curved folding, parallel pleating, faceted pleating and radiating pleating. The author also discusses tools and types of paper best suited for this art form.