40 Mind-Bending Paper Sculptures That Play With Light And Shadow

Growing up surrounded by art, creativity was always within reach. Encouraged to experiment from a young age, Verity’s fascination with paper began early—sparked in part by her step-grandfather, Eric de Mare, and his book “Your Book of Paperfolding.” The idea that a flat sheet could be transformed into something three-dimensional left a lasting impression, one that continues to shape her work today.

While origami has a long and rich history, Verity’s approach belongs to a more contemporary exploration of folded form. Inspired by early 20th-century experimentation—particularly movements like Bauhaus—her work focuses on abstract tessellations and repeating geometric patterns. At a time when little guidance existed, she found her path through a global community of paper artists who shared ideas, discoveries, and techniques online, forming what she describes as a kind of “spontaneous university.”

This exchange of knowledge eventually led her to international gatherings such as the Origami Convention in New York, where she connected with leading figures in the field. Yet, despite this collective influence, her work remains deeply personal. Each piece is carefully developed—first shaped by hand, then translated into precise digital line drawings before being scored and folded back into form.

Beyond standalone sculptures, Verity has also expanded her practice into wearable art, creating delicate paper dresses for weddings, performances, and photo shoots. These pieces, often designed to be worn only once, emphasize the ephemeral beauty of the medium, where fragility becomes part of the story.

In her more recent work, she has begun exploring curved folds, introducing a new softness and fluidity to her otherwise structured compositions. The result is a striking balance between control and spontaneity, proof that even within the limits of a single sheet of paper, the possibilities remain endless.