papperartat

Papperartat is a term that appears in some Nordic language contexts to describe art that uses paper as its primary medium. It is not a universally defined genre in international art discourse, and its meaning can vary depending on regional usage. In general, the term may refer to both traditional crafts and contemporary practices that revolve around paper as material rather than to a single unified movement.

The scope of papperartat includes a range of techniques and forms. Common activities associated with the label include origami, kirigami, quilling, papier-mâché, cut-paper collage, and paper sculpture. Artists typically work with various papers, from lightweight craft stock to heavier archival sheets, employing folding, cutting, layering, gluing, and sculptural shaping to create two- or three-dimensional works. The approach often emphasizes texture, color, light, and spatial relationships, with outputs that can be abstract, representational, or conceptual.

The term’s usage is not standardized and tends to vary by language and region. Because of its informal status, many practitioners who work with paper are described instead by more specific identifiers related to technique or discipline, such as origami artists, papier-mâché sculptors, or paper sculptors.

See also: origami, kirigami, quilling, papier-mâché, paper sculpture, paper art, book arts.