Paper mache artist · Ahmedabad

Newspaper, given a second life.

Neelu Patel turns the newsprint nobody wanted into masks, mud art, paintings and life‑size sculpture — 2,000+ pieces, 25 records, and a National Merit Certificate from the Government of India.

Explore 490 pieces Meet Neelu
Dedication Newspaper quill mandala South Indian green face mask Dalmatian Bindu Chakra Blue paper mache elephant Shyness Shiva face relief Red rose coil
Mother and Child Mirror mud art Dome and rings Detective Shih Tzu Krishna on the Tree of Life Deep Hug Green paper roll necklace Basset hound bust Vichar Vartul
Years practising
35+
Pieces made
2,000+
Records held
25
National Merit
2015
The collections

Nine ways with paper.

Browse all 490
Mask105 pieces Paper Collage107 pieces Mud Art113 pieces Drawings & Paper50 pieces Paper Mache59 pieces Canvas18 pieces Sculpture11 pieces Jewellery26 pieces Other Crafts1 piece
Just added

New from the studio.

Neelu Patel working on the 16-foot paper-stick pot at night
World record · 2015

16ft

The largest pot ever woven from newspaper.

Sixteen feet tall and six across, rolled from 5,950 newspaper sticks over one month of 12–14 hour days. Recognised by Limca Book of Records, Asia Book of Records and Record Holders Republic.

See the photographs
Neelu Patel in her garden in Ahmedabad
The practice

“Waste paper is only waste until someone gives it a shape.”

Neelu Patel — founder, Mukhote Creative Art Foundation

Read her story
01ShredOld newspaper is torn into small pieces.
02PulpSoaked for weeks, then mixed with fuller’s earth and natural gum.
03ShapePressed into form and carved by hand — no moulds.
04PaintDried, then painted in the folk idioms of Gujarat.
Recognition

Honoured at home and abroad.

Awards & press
National Merit CertificateMinistry of Textiles, Government of India · 2015
Kala Ratna AwardNational Kala Parv, Tonk, Rajasthan · 2020
Music from the Silent FluteWillesden Gallery, London · 2017
SamvednaSolo show — Lalit Kala Academy, Ahmedabad, then Mumbai & Porbandar · 2024–26
Ministry of TextilesLimca Book of RecordsThe Times of IndiaDNA AhmedabadSandeshDivya BhaskarRajasthan PatrikaRadio Mirchi 98.3Galleria BalmainWillesden Gallery, LondonAsia Book of RecordsGujarat Samachar

Commission a piece, or take one home.

Every piece is one of a kind. Message Neelu on WhatsApp about price, size or a custom commission.

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