Simulating Sculptural Texture with Paper: My Artistic Exploration of Surface Texture

A large-scale material experiment, nearly two meters tall. I attempted to use continuous sheets of paper to simulate the texture of plaster. While it lacks the smoothness of actual gypsum, the resulting texture is rich and multi-layered—utterly captivating. I started by shaping the general three-dimensional form with air-dry clay (as shown in the last image), then proceeded with manual modeling based on that shape, refining the softness of the curves. Finally, I draped pre-prepared textured paper over the model. Composite material sculpture is a field I’ve been eager to explore. Before applying these techniques formally, preliminary material experiments are essential. The fluid, streamlined forms of Rona Maffucci’s sculptures served as the primary models for this initial exploration. Analyzing the morphology of these images to develop a three-dimensional understanding is a vital step in the learning process. Everything above is strictly for the purpose of texture research. Other textures are worth exploring too—fabric, straws, bamboo sticks, book pages, and so on. As for shaping, through one complete experiment, you can gradually master the skill of using air-dry clay to sculpt any form you desire, then model based on that clay shape to create sculptures that express your own artistic voice. InstallationArt #ArtInstallation #Sculpture #PaperSculpture #Art #InteriorDesign #ArtisticDecor