Home / Art

Artist “Paints” Astounding Portraits With Packing Tape

Equipped only with some rolls of brown packing tape and a scalpel, artist Max Zorn constructs unbelievably realistic portraits. This new medium that Zorn works with is so fascinating because it is such a common item most of us take for granted. It takes a truly creative mind to unearth the artistic potential of a material as overlooked as packing tape.

Even if they were conventional paintings, the sepia-toned pieces are visually striking with their use of geometric shapes and sharp streaks of multi-shades. However, the mere notion of each tape art piece's meticulous construction is mind-blowingly phenomenal. Working, essentially, in one color and with a material that can be so frustrating, it is astounding that Zorn was able to produce such fine work. How he doesn't get a piece of tape stuck to itself or visible layers of lint clinging to the material while working is beyond me.

I can't get over how realistic, detailed, and innovative Zorn's work is and how well he utilizes light. These artworks from his Stick Together series rely on backlighting to distinguish the different shades of the brown tone. He also has an exceptional grasp of layering and carving when working with the sticky materials. I love the way he uses long overlapping layers of tape to emulate a sun streaking effect. Be sure to check out the time-lapsed video of Zorn creating one of his remarkable works, below.
















Max Zorn: Website | Facebook
via [Design You Trust]

Pinar

Pinar Noorata (she/her) is the Editorial Director at My Modern Met. She is a writer, editor, and content creator based in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College. She has worked at major TV, film, and publishing companies as well as other independent media businesses. She also runs her own art & culture newsletter called The High Low. She first joined the My Modern Met team in 2011 as a Contributing Writer, pitching and publishing articles about a wide range of topics. Her expertise in visual media lends itself to in-depth analysis of varied art forms, including but not limited to painting, illustration, sculpture, installation, design, and photography. Pinar has a particular affinity for spotlighting up-and-coming artists, affording them a platform and offering a voice to lesser-heard individuals looking to break through, especially BIPOC creatives. She has helped multiple artists make a name for themselves and reach a wider audience over 10+ years as a writer and editor (both through long-form articles and short-form videos). When she isn’t writing, editing, or creating videos herself, Pinar enjoys watching films and TV, reading, crafting, drawing, frequenting museums and galleries, and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits