Folded paper. It sounds simple enough, but I find intricate folded paper origami fascinating.
Definition of origami: the Japanese art or process of folding squares of paper into representational shapes.
Sipho Mabona is an origami master artist. Mabona transforms one piece of paper into delightfully amazing bugs, fish, birds, dishes, clothes, people and, and, and…the list goes on and on. It seems that there isn’t anything he can’t create into origami sculptures.
Swarm Of Locusts Origami
For instance, using an uncut square sheet of United States currency, Mabona folded for four to five hours and created a locust. In an installation called The Plague, Mabona created a swarm of locusts. Yes, you read that right…a swarm. They are awesome!
Swarm x 5 hours each locust = lots of time to create them all
Koi Or Carp Origami
These fish origami have such a happy appearance and it looks like they will be leaping out of the picture at any moment!
Fish And Tiger Origami
I can’t even begin to imagine how Mabona made all those folds to create a puffy fish and lanky wild cat. It blows my mind!
People Origami
People!
The second person from the right, if you count the adult and child group as one, is holding his chin with one hand and the elbow of the opposite arm with the other hand. I can almost here him saying, “Hmmmmmm….”
Pink Rhino And Elephant Origami
Oh yeah, I always see pink rhinos! LOL
Bug And Praying Mantis Origami
I’m not a bug person, but they are included for everyone who does like bugs.
Big Black Ant Origami
The only good ant is a squished ant or an origami ant. 😉
Flock Of Origami Birds
The pastel flock of origami birds are lovely! I really love this grouping.
Origami People Hanging From Balloons
I can’t really pick a favorite origami piece by Mabona, but I’ve always wanted to float away on a balloon ever since I saw Winnie The Pooh do it.
Mabona can reproduce any of his pieces of art, but each origami sculpture is slightly different because they are all hand folded. Each masterpiece is created using archival quality paper, so the origami art will last a very long time.
Impressed? I think Mabona’s origami is fabulous!
teresa says
Your comments are fast again!
I love this origami. He has a great imagination.
Sherry Riter says
Yes, they REALLY fixed the comments. 🙂
Glad you like the origami. I just love it!
Joan says
You are SOOO RIGHT! Sipho Mabona is indeed an origami master artist. Love, love, love the fish! Actually I love everything this artist does! 🙂
Sherry Riter says
Me too! I would love to have some of those fish! 😀
Joan says
You wrote, “Swarm x 5 hours each locust = lots of time to create them all.” Okay, when I read that it took Sipho Mabona 5 hours to create each locust I didn’t feel so bad at how long it took me to make a comment on your blog! 🙂
Sherry Riter says
…or to clean cabbage! LOLOLOL