A well-written fiction has the ability to provoke clear images in the minds of its readers. But for Savannah-based artist Bethany Bickley, the ability to envision protagonists and scenery has a more literal meaning. The artist uses pages torn from magazines, classics, and even contemporary works to create distinctive paper sculptures of masks, clenched fists, and cozy evenings with fireplaces and Christmas trees.

Each sculpture has a meaning and serves as a representation of the book or magazine that it is placed on. Bickley takes the narratives of these stories and masterfully brings them to life, illustrating the main themes in beautifully crafted figures. For instance, in her representation of “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, Bickley depicts a jumping scene where the protagonist Beatrice “Tris” Prior jumps from a high building while others wait for their turn. Or in the representation of “How Could She” by Lauren Mechling and “Bunny” by Mona Awad, she interprets the women’s friendships written in these books.

“My first job out of college was for a newspaper as an editorial designer and illustrator. I was given a story to design the book 'The Bone Yard' by Jefferson Bass. I had seen book art in the past and was super inspired by it, so decided to give it a try. I read the book and carved a scene to illustrate it for the story. I loved the process and the end result. My style has continued to evolve from there. Often, I add watercolor to pages for more colorful detail. As a designer and illustrator, I am very detail-oriented. The more detail I can add to these sculptures, the more interesting and magical I feel they become,” said the artist to Bored Panda.

More info: bethany-bickley.squarespace.com | Instagram | Facebook