Kartongkarp

Kartongkarp is a term used in Nordic craft and educational contexts to describe a carp-shaped sculpture or model made primarily from cardboard. The name combines kartong, Swedish for cardboard, with karp, the word for carp, and it is commonly used to denote lightweight, recyclable artwork rather than a durable sculpture.

The practice appears in informal maker communities and school art projects from the late 20th century onward, used to teach geometry, composition, and principles of recycling. It is not tied to a single artist or institution and is often encountered in regional craft fairs, classroom handouts, and DIY tutorials.

A typical kartongkarp is built from flat sheets of cardboard cut into a body and fins, then assembled with tape, glue, or staples and finished with paint or colored paper to resemble a carp. Some variants use corrugated cardboard for added rigidity, particularly for display outdoors, and may include lightweight internal supports.

As a portable and inexpensive medium, kartongkarp is commonly employed for temporary installations and educational props. It is valued for encouraging experimentation with form, texture, and upcycling, and for offering a low-threshold entry point to sculpture.

See also: cardboard sculpture, environmental art, DIY art education.