Turning mundane into magic: Artist does wonders with paper

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 28

With an eye for detailing and an appetite for some mean machines, Atamjeet Singh Bawa turns his creativity into stunning art forms. A paper artist, who is popularly known as ‘Paper Model Guru’, Atamjeet creates highly detailed 3D paper models of machines, including some of the famous war machines used by the Armed forces.

Born in Amritsar, Atamjeet is currently working as an IT professional in Bahrain. For those who know him well, he is a man of many crafts. “I graduated from the GNDU as B-Tech in Textile Chemistry in 2007. But making paper models is something I kept doing as a creative outlet since 2003. I used to make small miniature versions of machines and bikes, later my art graduated into creating 3D paper modals that got displayed in prominent exhibits and events,” he says.

Using only paper and glue as his tools, Atamjeet’s biggest dream come true was creating a 6.5ft long paper modal of T-90 Bhisham Tank. A third generation Russia-made battle tank, Atamjeet was thrilled to have done the project for the Indian Army. “I made the model in 2016-17 after I was approached by the Indian Army officers. Creating the modal was a challenge as it took three and a half months for me to work round the clock and I call it my masterpiece. It is installed at one of the Army Headquarters of Indian Army’s armored brigade,” he informs.

He chooses his designs with precision and caution. “The behind the scene efforts of making a paper model is what decides the fate of the art work. There is no room for mistakes in 3D paper modeling and every detail like what kind of paper to use, the knife to cut and carve and even printing of designs comes with lot of challenges. But its been a satisfying journey of 17 years and I want to keep exceeding my creative limits.”

Atamjeet’s models have found their platform at Auto expo forum, several prestigious art exhibitions. He is also a TED talk mentor and conducts workshops regarding paper art. “I thrive to learn with every project, curiosity is what drives me and fascination for complex mechanical things keeps me on my toes. By mentoring students, who have an eye for detailing, I want to share my knowledge and talent with the world,” he says.