Artists Turn Recycled Books Into Relief Sculptures by Carefully Cutting and Folding Each Page

There are many ways in which a book can be a work of art; authors build compelling worlds within the words on the page, while graphic designers boast beautiful cover designs. Others, like the creations of a team of artists known as Book Master, elevate any tome and turn it into a sculpture with a technique known as book folding. By carefully cutting and folding each page, the creatives form characters and figures around the edges of a book, prompting the illusion that it has been carved out.

“We believe that every book has a soul and deserves to be transformed into an artistic creation,” reads Book Master's website. “It is this belief that guides our creative process, highlighting the beauty hidden in every fold.” Drawing from a passion for visual storytelling, the team brings out the creative potential of each book by meticulously planning and carrying out each fold and cut.

Rather than choosing a character or a theme from the book they'll be working with, they use discarded books with hopes of giving them a second life. “We carefully select each book and ensure that each piece meets our high standards,” Book Master explains. The creations include pop culture motifs, sports team logos, and video game and anime characters. Aware of their potential as one-of-a-kind gifts, they also offer custom designs to celebrate birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

On social media, Book Master shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of how these pieces of book art are brought to life. Building one design inspired by The Beauty and The Beast took them 16 hours of work, documented in time-lapsed footage. The artist in charge goes page by page, carefully cutting and folding. On the other side of the screen, the figures begin to pop up, ending with a work of art that could easily be the centerpiece of any home library.

“Each fold we make is much more than a simple movement, it is the birth of a new story,” Book Master shares. “The pages transform into figures and patterns, expressing subtle emotions and themes. Every detail counts, every fold is shaped with precision. We bring each book to life, allowing it to reveal its own visual, unique and poetic narrative drawn from our creative universe.” To stay up to date with their creations, follow them on Instagram and TikTok.

A team of artists known as Book Master can turn any book into a work of art by using a technique known as book folding.

@book_master_official Quelques secondes de douceur. ❤️ #disney #beautyandthebeast #love #amour #talent #art #custom #diy ♬ Beauty And The Beast – The Main Street Band & Orchestra

By carefully cutting and folding each page, the creatives form characters and figures around the edges of a book, prompting the illusion that it has been carved out.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Book Master (@book_master_official)

“We believe that every book has a soul and deserves to be transformed into an artistic creation.”

@book_master_official Pour toi quel est le pokémon le plus mimi? Abonne toi et viens faire un tour dans mon pokémonde #pokemon #evoli #pikachu #art ♬ Pokémon Theme – Pokémon

Rather than choosing a character or a theme from the tome they'll be working with, they use recycled books with the hopes of giving them a second life.

The creations include pop culture motifs, sports team logos, video game and anime characters, as well as custom designs.

“Each fold we make is much more than a simple movement, it is the birth of a new story.”

@book_master_official Un second hommage à Akira Toriyama. Parce qu’il est important de se rappeler d’où l’on vient pour savoir où l’on va, merci encore pour tout, Maître Toriyama. Repose en paix. #dbz #dragonball #akiratoriyama #goku #art #hommage #talent ♬ sonido original – DB THEME

@book_master_official laisse moi tes idées pour d'autres projets #dccomics #harleyquinn #joker #art ♬ Heathens – twenty one pilots

@book_master_official #supermario #mario #nintendo #jeuxvideo #art #cadeau ♬ Super Mario Bros Main Theme – Geek Music

@book_master_official Pourquoi la princesse Peach est-elle si douée pour les courses de karting dans l’univers de Mario Kart ? – – – – Parce qu’elle a toujours un champignon sous la pédale ! Bon, OK, je ferai mieux à la prochaine blague, promis. #mario #supermario #peach #bowser #nintendo #talent #art #bookfloding #booktok ♬ Jazzy jingle with saxophone (10 seconds) – michitaroad

@book_master_official Lorsque l'art rencontre la magie, chaque page du livre est une histoire enchantée. #disney #minniemouse #mickeymouse #love #cadeau #gift #art #talent ♬ Disney Pictures Intro – Disney Pictures

@book_master_official Une deuxième version de la fée Clochette. N’hésite pas à visiter mon profil pour découvrir les autres projets. #art #disney #clochette #tinkerbell #book #talent ♬ Disney-style fanfare-style BGM – harryfaoki

@book_master_official Wubba lubba dub dub! Pourquoi Rick Sanchez n’a-t-il jamais de problèmes avec les mathématiques ? – – – – – Parce qu’il a toujours un portail de sortie pour échapper aux équations ! —-> byyyyyyyye #rickandmorty #ricksanchez #morty #fanart #talent ♬ Rick and Morty Theme – Rick and Morty & Ryan Elder

@book_master_official Homernator 3 : le soulèvement des donuts Quels personnages voudrais-tu fusionner ? #terminator #simpsons #homer #thesimpsons #talent #artist ♬ Terminator 2 – The Original Movies Orchestra

@book_master_official on like jusqu'à ce que Daryl voit la vidéo ❤️ #walking #thewalkingdead #daryldixon #zombies #normanreedus #booktok #art ♬ Theme from the Walking Dead – Bear McCreary

Book Master: Website | Instagram | TikTok

Related Articles:

Discarded Books Find a Second Life as Flora Sculptures Sprout From Pages

Recycled Books Given a New Life As Intricate Nature-Inspired Paper Sculptures

Artist Constructs Intricate Book Sculptures That Reconfigure Text as Physically Interlocking Lines

Interview: Evocative Bronze Sculptures of Books with Serene Faces Emerging from the Pages

Regina Sienra

Regina Sienra is a Staff Writer at My Modern Met. Based in Mexico City, Mexico, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications with specialization in Journalism from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She has 10+ years’ experience in Digital Media, writing for outlets in both English and Spanish. Her love for the creative arts—especially music and film—drives her forward every day.
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

Sponsored Content