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Botanical Sculptures: Delicate flowers and leaves made out of paper by Ann Wood

When you look closely at these beautifully delicate flowers, feathers and leaves, it would be difficult to not mistake them for the real thing. Crafted by Ann Wood, of Woodlucker – a visual partnership and studio which she founded with Dean Lucker in 1987 – the sculptures are inspired by historial botanical prints.

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Assorted handcrafted paper flowers and leaves in white, blue, yellow and turquoise arranged on a dark textured surface, created by Ann Wood of Woodlucker

Ann manipulates paper and wire, using drawing and cutting with sharp embroidery scissors. She then applies fine cuts to achieve realistic yet fanciful butterfly wings, feathers, and flowers. These sculpted creations are then hand-sewn on to wool and velvet backgrounds before being framed in vintage frame stock. The work is delicate and direct with a nod to craftsmanship from decades ago.

Woodlucker is based on both individual and collaborative practices. Ann creates mixed media portraits and theatrical tableaus of "mysterious beauty and solace whose identity is grounded in the timeless aesthetic and ethic of rural America". Dean’s work is driven by a passion for vernacular animated traditions which combine a "personalised mythology to create mechanical storytelling".

Their collaborative work combines a love for illustrated paper art and forgotten histories into engaging objects full of sentiment and longing. Both Ann and Dean have won the notable individual artist fellowship from the Bush Foundation and numerous Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowships, a Jerome Fellowship and a Arts Midwest Fellowship. Make sure you check out their work at www.woodlucker.com.

Via Artistic Moods

Hand holding a delicate paper botanical sculpture featuring white and cream flowers with gold stems arranged in a circular wreath design against a dark background
Collection of intricately cut paper botanical forms including flowers, feathers and leaves arranged symmetrically on a deep blue textured background
Colourful paper flowers and leaves with wire stems arranged on a linen background, including blue, purple, pink, yellow and white blooms in various styles.
Botanical paper sculptures by Ann Wood arranged on a pink background, featuring hand-cut paper flowers in white, blue, pink and dark tones with delicate wire stems and leaves
Circular arrangement of white and gold paper flowers and bronze and gold paper leaves against a deep blue textured background by Ann Wood
Collection of paper sculptures by Ann Wood depicting various delicate botanical forms including flowers, leaves, feathers and seed pods arranged against a black background
Delicate paper botanical sculptures by Ann Wood featuring hand-cut blue and white leaves and flowers arranged on a textured wooden background with a dark geometric shape below
Collection of delicate paper-cut flowers and leaves in cream, yellow, pink and blue tones arranged on a blue background, with a hand holding one stem
Colourful paper flowers and leaves arranged on a turquoise wooden background, including white, pink, yellow and burgundy blooms crafted by Ann Wood
Pale blue paper flower with golden centre surrounded by metallic feathers and small copper elements on teal background by Ann Wood
Collection of framed botanical paper sculptures by Ann Wood displayed on a blue wall alongside wooden furniture and a large white paper butterfly
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