Bristol-based artist Diana Beltrán Herrera continues to construct elaborate sculptures of flora and fauna in vibrant paper. Over the last few years, her work has grown in both scale and subject matter as she incorporates new materials such as paperboard, thread, and cardboard, which have allowed her work to evolve beyond previous forms.

The artist’s latest explorations of nature motifs include flower structures, leaf patterns, and most recently, coral formations. Uniquely, coral reefs exhibit fractal and hyperbolic geometry, making them a particularly fascinating subject for sculptural reproduction. Utilizing thread as a structural tool has been especially integral for Herrera’s explorations of different species, as she creates dozens of iterations with an array of colorful tentacles and skeletons.

"When working with embroidery, I am particularly interested in how paper can borrow techniques traditionally associated with textiles," the artist shares with Colossal. "Thread becomes a way of drawing, connecting, and constructing forms."

Aside from her personal practice, Herrera also continues to produce commissioned works for clients around the world. This month, the artist is sending her first family of coral research works to the Deutsches Museum in Munich, where they will be exhibited in an installation opening at the end of June. Find more from the artist on Instagram.