Remember the paper creations you used to make as a kid? They were probably limited to paper planes and some simple origami.  Japanese paper artist Chie Hitotsuyama has taken paper art to a whole other level by creating textured sculptures of animals using a technique involving rolled strips of wet newspaper. The compact application of each newspaper segment proves to be an elegant method of forming the wild fur of snow monkeys or the density of scales found on the back of an iguana. For Hitotsuyama, these details are critical as she seeks to create the most lifelike sculptures possible.

“More than anything else, I’m particular about the realistic feel of the animals,” she said. “Animals that live in nature are equal to us in the sense that we live together on this planet. Sometimes they sleep. Sometimes they eat. They are living ordinary everyday lives just like us. I would like keep insisting on reality and producing my life-sized work as much as possible in order to convey their lives.”

What do you think of Chie’s paper masterpieces? Scroll down and vote on your favorites!

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