Cast paper sculpture by Allen and Patty Eckman

The husband-and-wife team have been creating their pieces since 1987 in their home studio in South Dakota.

Each piece can take up to 11 months to make, using a specially-formulated paper.

The artists put paper pulp into silicone molds and then pressurize it to remove the water.

The hard, lightweight pieces are then removed, and the couple painstakingly add detail using a wide range of tools.

Allen Eckman said, "I work on the men and animals, and Patty does the women and children."

 

The pieces range in scale from life-size to 1/6 life-size.

They begin as standing nude figures, or animals with limited details (no ears, hair or tail).

Detail is then created atop the initial objects, using soft and hard paper made by the artists in various thicknesses and textures.

[via Linda Lou Turner]