“Cardboard Is Not Just Trash — It’s a Canvas”

Japanese artist and sculptor Monami Ohno is internationally known for her highly detailed sculptures made entirely from used cardboard boxes. Working with one of the most familiar packaging materials, she transforms everyday material into complex three-dimensional artworks that visually resemble metal, plastic or industrial objects.

Ohno studied 3D animation at Osaka University of Arts, where she first began experimenting with cardboard during a student project. What started as a simple exercise developed into a distinctive artistic practice in which cardboard became her primary medium.

Her sculptures range from mechanical objects and vehicles to pop-culture icons and everyday items. Using basic tools — cutters, glue and recycled corrugated board — she builds forms intuitively, layering and shaping material until the final structure emerges. Many of her works require dozens of hours of precise manual work.

A key feature of Ohno’s practice is her attention to detail and structure. Printed surfaces, folds and fluting are often left visible, highlighting the original nature of corrugated cardboard while emphasizing its sculptural potential.

Monami Ohno’s work demonstrates how corrugated cardboard, widely associated with packaging and logistics, can also serve as a refined artistic medium — combining craftsmanship, design thinking and material intelligence.

                                                                                                    corruga.expert