diana beltran herrera’s paper aviary comprises hundreds of sculptural birds
all images courtesy of diana beltran herrera
artistic work with paper is often meticulous and exact, requiring a healthy dose of patience, a knowledge of materials, and a steady hand. over the past few years, prolific colombian creative diana beltran herrera has been practicing and studying the intricacies of this specialized skill from her studio in the UK. herrera’s handiwork has seen the making of more than 100 construction paper and cardboard birds, with fish, flower and butterfly species still underway. her colorful collection of animals is sculpted with a precise hyperrealism that matches the personalities and peculiarities of species from the great hornbill to the european goldfinch.
lovebirds, 2015
the birds begin with a structural framework, also made from paper. interwoven cardboard sheets form a sturdy foundation for the layers herrera then applies. each exterior sheet is carefully cut in tiny, oblong shapes that resemble individually plucked feathers. a fringe-like texture sliced into each edge mimics the wispy texture of actual plumage. the bird takes shape as herrera meticulously attaches each colored quill, finally forming both large and small scale species that are nearly identical to their living, physical counterpart. see some examples from herrera’s ongoing aviary below, and a behind the scenes look at the making-of the sculptures in the gallery at the bottom of the page.
european goldfinch, 2014
golden fronted leafbird, 2015
great hornbill, 2015
cockerel, 2015
cockerel detail
cockatoo
robin, 2015
motmot, 2016
black naped oriole, 2015
king bird of paradise, 2015
inca collared hummingbird, 2014
black backed kingfisher, 2015
wattled jacana
king bird of paradise, 2015
[h/t] mymodernmet
