About Gary Cudworth Art
Paper Sculptures: I work with basic materials—acrylic and oil paints, along with various
surface treatments—to craft trompe l'oeil effects on paper fabrications. The paper forms I create are both flexible and dynamic, enabling me to build sculptures that explore rhythmic, abstract themes. Through these abstractions, I aim to evoke feelings of lost direction and past struggles, while also conveying a sense of timelessness and transformation
Drawings: "My aim is to create large-scale pen and pencil drawings, some as expansive as 4' x 5'. These works are rendered on Stonehenge 90 lb. paper, which I stretch tightly over framed canvas, providing a taut, drum-like surface ideal for detailed drawing. While I admire the works of artists such as Peter Bruegel, with his allegorical paintings, Martha Graham’s expressive dance, Strange Irish Folk Tales, the earliest Science Fiction, John Tenniel's illustrations for Through the Looking Glass, and Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz, I don't consider them direct influences on my work. Instead, my drawings are born from my own life—a rich blend of experiences, thoughts, and dreams that spill out onto the paper, giving form to my inner world."
Reimagining Paper: A Different Kind of Sculpture
Most paper sculptures today are created using techniques like papier-mâché, molded handmade paper, or intricate cut paper designs. Origami is perhaps the most widely recognized form of paper art, known for its precise folds that transform flat sheets into delicate birds, animals, and other forms. While each of these methods has produced exceptional artwork, my approach is a bit different.
I treat paper more like a sheet metal artist might—cutting, folding, bending, forming, and painting it to create sculptures that are both unexpectedly strong and incredibly lightweight. My pieces are made entirely of paper, with no internal supports or structures (aside from what’s necessary for hanging wall-mounted works).
My goal is to create artwork that’s visually striking while remaining surprisingly light.