Artists Embrace an Affordable and Ubiquitous Material in ‘Cardboard: Infinite Possibilities’

From inexpensive, ubiquitous, and utilitarian materials, virtually endless forms and narratives can be created with a bit of imagination. That’s exactly what the show Cardboard: Infinite Possibilities, opening next month at Wönzimer Gallery, aims to highlight.

The group exhibition is curated by Ann Weber, whose work Colossal readers may recognize, along with that of Narsiso Martinez and Shigeru Ban. The show also highlights an iconic chair design by Frank Gehry, who died this month at the age of 96, plus contributions from Jodi Hays, Edgar Ramirez, Leonie Weber, Samuelle Richardson, Jabila Okongwu, and more.

An iconic chair designed by Frank Gehry made from corrugated cardboard that has a straight back and a wiggle shape at the base
Frank Gehry, “Easy Edges Wiggle Chair” (1972), corrugated cardboard and hardboard, 34 x 24 x 17 inches. Courtesy of Frank O. Gehry & Gehry Design, LLC

In her own work, Ann Weber has long sought to subvert what we consider a purely functional, disposable medium. Her practice involves meticulously cutting, wrapping, and weaving strips of salvaged cardboard into bulbous, sometimes towering sculptures. Others also embrace this approach, like Martinez, who repurposes discarded produce boxes as a substrate for paintings and drawings, and Leonie Weber, whose painted and crumbled box assemblages appear almost like dyed and felted wool installations at first glance.

Ban’s sustainable approach to architecture using cardboard emphasizes how the medium can be transformed from cheap packaging material to humanitarian design, where tubes can be used as modular units to build rapid-response shelters.

Cardboard: Infinite Possibilities runs from January 2 to 30 in Los Angeles. See more on the gallery’s website.

An ink and charcoal drawing of agricultural laborers on found cardboard boxes by Narsiso Martinez
Narsiso Martinez, “Philosophy in the Fields” (2016), ink and charcoal on cardboard, 6 x 9 feet. Courtesy of Charlie James Gallery
An abstract assembled of richly painted, crunched cardboard by Leonie Weber that resembles felted wool
Leonie Weber, “Baby” (2025), found cardboard, Flashe paint, wood frame, hardware, and glue, 32 x 25 x 9 inches
A geometric collage of ut and rearranged cardboard packaging by Jebila Okongwu
Jebila Okongwu, “Divination Painting No. 3” (2015), mixed media collage on linen, 55 1/8 x 44 1/2 inches. Courtesy of Baert Gallery, Los Angeles
A photo of a series of affordable housing structures in India, made of cardboard, by Shigeru Ban
Shigeru Ban, “Paper Log House” (2001), India. Photo © Kartikeya-Shodhan, courtesy of Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN)
A sculpture of a classical bust of Daedalus by Samuelle Richardson made from pieces of cardboard
Samuelle Richardson, “Daedalus” (2024), cardboard, junk mail, staples, and glue, 21 x 7 x 9 inches

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Artists Embrace an Affordable and Ubiquitous Material in ‘Cardboard: Infinite Possibilities’ appeared first on Colossal.

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