Eric Joisel French origami master Date of Birth: 15.11.1956 Country: France

1. Biography of Eric Joisel
2. Early Life
3. The Hedgehog
4. Masterpieces and Recognition
5. Pursuit of Origami
6. Legacy and Demise

Biography of Eric Joisel

Eric Joisel was a French origami master who specialized in the "wet folding" technique. He created his elegant sculptures using only paper and water, without the use of glue or scissors.

Early Life

Eric Joisel was born in Enghien-les-Bains, near Paris, France. In his youth, he initially studied law before transitioning to become a sculptor. In the early 1980s, Eric encountered the works of Akira Yoshizawa, which forever captured his heart and interest in origami.

The Hedgehog

While it may seem simple to create a hedgehog using origami, it took Eric Joisel six years to perfect his first one. This hedgehog, folded from a single sheet of paper with razor-sharp spikes, embodied the essence of "hedgehogness" and showcased the dedication and skill Joisel put into his work.

Masterpieces and Recognition

When one thinks of origami, images of paper airplanes, fragile boats, and folded cups come to mind. However, Eric Joisel's creations differed greatly from these common associations. His sculptures, whether depicting humans, animals, or fantastical creatures, resembled true statues rather than mere paper creations. Each of Joisel's sculptures commanded several thousand dollars and were exhibited in prestigious museums worldwide, including the Louvre. They also adorned numerous private collections.

Pursuit of Origami

At the beginning of his career, Joisel never envisioned origami as his chosen art form. He always aspired to be a sculptor. Joisel taught himself the art of folding beautiful figures from paper, which likely contributed to the uniqueness of his creations compared to those of his colleagues. From small palm-sized figurines to life-sized sculptures, Joisel's skilled hands brought his visions to life. Designing a new sculpture could take him several years, while the actual folding process required hundreds of hours. For his largest works, he required enormous sheets of paper, some as large as 5 by 8 meters, equivalent to the size of an average New York apartment.

Legacy and Demise

Eric Joisel often referred to origami as an incredibly challenging craft. When asked how long it took to create one sculpture, he would jokingly respond, "35 years," signifying the time it took him to master the secrets of origami. The wet folding technique, which involved moistening the paper to allow for curved and twisted folds, was one of the hallmarks of his artistry.

Joisel began with the most popular theme in origami, animals, and then expanded into making masks and life-sized human figures. One of his most famous works in the "human" category was a group of musicians. Each figure, standing only a foot tall, displayed intricate details such as furrowed brows and veins on the hands. The musicians held miniature instruments, crafted from paper.

Eric Joisel passed away on October 10, 2010, in Argenteuil, near Paris, at the age of 53. He succumbed to lung cancer, leaving behind a legacy of exquisite origami sculptures that continue to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts worldwide.