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Birds: Lovingly crafted paper sculptures of birds from around the world

From tropical birds of paradise and parrots to humble British varieties; from incredible hummingbirds to colourful African winged creatures, Diana Beltran Herrera's paper sculptures pay homage to birds around the world.

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Close-up of a blue and yellow macaw paper sculpture by Diana Beltran Herrera against a blue background

The Bristol-based Colombian designer and artist (featured previously) uses everyday materials – such as wire, cardboard, plastic, and paper – to create her incredibly realistic artworks.

"The works are based on photographs of real birds, which I first draw on Illustrator to get the right dimensions and details. I keep the sketch and photograph my work as I progress," Diane explains.

After graduating with a degree in Industrial Design at the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Bogota, Colombia in 2010, Diana established her own design practice and has since exhibited in Europe, Asia and America. She currently lives in Bristol, where she has just graduated with a Masters in Fine Arts at the University of West of England.

Recent commissions include a piece for the Festival of Ideas by Bristol City Council and her first solo show in Asia, supported by the Embassy of Colombia in Indonesia and Cancilleria de Colombia en el Exterior. You can discover more at dianabeltranherrera.com.

A colourful paper sculpture of a bird with black and teal plumage, bright yellow underside and long black and white tail feathers, perched on a white stem against a turquoise background
Colourful paper sculpture of a toucan with a yellow face, black feathers, and a segmented beak in shades of green, orange and blue against a red background
A black hummingbird with iridescent blue, yellow and green wings suspended in flight against a bright magenta background
Colourful paper sculpture hummingbird with yellow head, turquoise chest, pink and grey wings and red beak against a blue background
A delicate paper sculpture of a hummingbird with lavender and purple wings, lime-green back and pale blue breast, suspended against a bright blue background
A paper sculpture of a hummingbird with vibrant red plumage, white chest, orange tail feathers and lavender wings against a mint green background
Colourful paper sculpture of a hummingbird in flight with red head, yellow breast and green wings against a pink background
Lime-green sunbird with black head and throat, blue wing patch and curved beak, perched against a clear blue background
Diana Beltran Herrera's red, yellow and white paper bird sculpture with green wing detail against a green background
A paper sculpture of a tropical bird with red plumage, yellow head markings, green and white wing feathers, and a yellow beak against a green background
Intricately crafted paper sculpture of a red bird with yellow head markings, white belly and green wing detail, perched on a white branch against a green background
Colourful paper sculpture of a hummingbird with white wings, burgundy back, red breast, purple neck and blue tail feathers against a yellow background
White paper sculpture of a seabird with black head markings, yellow beak and outstretched wings against a bright blue background
White paper sculpture of a bird with red crest markings and black wing and tail feathers perched on a white rod against a bright red background
White Sulphur-crested Cockatoo paper sculpture by Diana Beltran Herrera against a bright yellow background
Two colourful paper kingfisher sculptures with yellow, blue and pink plumage perched on white branches against a turquoise background
Colourful paper sculpture of a kingfisher with yellow, blue and purple plumage and pink beak perched on a white rod against a turquoise background
Diana Beltran Herrera's paper sculpture of a wading bird with tan and white plumage, purple-blue markings on its face and neck, and red legs against a blue background
Bright yellow and black paper sculpture of a bird with a pink beak perched on a pole against a clear blue sky
Two black-headed yellow-breasted parrots crafted from coloured paper and wire against a bright red background
Intricately detailed paper sculpture of a bird with yellow and black wings against a clear blue background, crafted by Diana Beltran Herrera
Green and yellow budgerigar with black and white head markings perched on a white branch against a lavender background, a paper sculpture by Diana Beltran Herrera
Two colourful paper bird sculptures by Diana Beltran Herrera perched on white stands against a purple background, featuring yellow faces, black and white markings, and green wings with blue tail feathers
Colourful paper sculpture of a tropical bird with a yellow face, black head markings, green wings and bright turquoise tail feathers, perched on a white rod against a lilac background
Colourful paper sculpture of a black-headed, yellow-breasted parrot perched on a white rod against a bright yellow background
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