Cardboard is a super versatile material. It's sturdy when you need it to hold things, and it's malleable enough to mold into whatever shape you need it to be.
The material also acts as a good alternative to plastic when it comes to packaging, being 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable, making less of a harsh impact on our environment.
But the beauty of cardboard is its practicality, especially when making art.
29-year-old Japanese artist Monami Ohno makes turning cardboard into beautiful sculptures look effortless. But it's far from easy.
What started from a 'bike-like thing' for a college assignment she did 10 years ago has blossomed into a full-time gig for Ohno, whose works have been displayed in galleries all over Japan and abroad.
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
Taking inspiration from pop culture, her cardboard sculptures are chock-full of immaculate details, something that rewards those who look closely.
"When I first tried folding the paper, gluing, and putting them together, the people around me praised me, saying things like 'Wow, you can make this'," Ohno said. "That made me so happy that I have continued doing this until now."
Her process is actually very straightforward. She sketches her rough design on cardboard, cuts it out, and then molds it into shape with some glue and water. The results are truly amazing, though.
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
"I make the things I would really like to decorate my house with," she said.
And these so-called 'house decorations' of hers tend to sell for big bucks as well, with some commissions selling for anywhere between US$909 (?100,000) and US$13,640 (?1.5 million), depending on size and design complexity.
Check out some of her awesome sculptures below:
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
IMAGE: Monami Ohno / Facebook
Ohno says that none of her work has some underlying message about the environment, but she thinks it's an added bonus if people do see something like that in her creations.
"Eventually if it makes that point, it would be nice if people can see my work, which is made out of cardboard and recycled materials rather than plastics, and realize that there are these kinds of people who are involved in recycling."
Keep up with Monami Ohno's creations on Facebook and Instagram.
Read more culture stories:
Popular Malaysian food gets put into weird and whimsical fantasy scenes
Malaysian artist creates NFT art after getting inspired by country's politics
M'sian artist sells intentionally-bad drawings on Shopee, and they're a hit
Follow Mashable SEA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram.
Cover image sourced from Monami Ohno / Facebook and Reuters.
