Accessorizing Art—Pushing 2D Traditional Space Into Lively 3D Form

The 3D Artwork Collection re-imagines traditional drawing by extending it beyond the surface, blending 2D and 3D elements to create a sense of motion and depth. These works break the boundary of the page, encouraging viewers to experience drawing not just as an image but as something interactive and alive.

The Process
The standout piece, Popcorn, combines colored pencil rendering with dimensional elements to create a lively, mixed-media effect. The illustration depicts popcorn in a bowl, with carefully drawn kernels brought into relief through hand-crafted additions. White rocks were painted with dabs of yellow to resemble popcorn and then glued directly onto the illustration and matboard, giving the illusion of kernels spilling outward. The glass was removed from the frame so the artwork could remain open, further enhancing the 3D effect. As a result, the popcorn seems to leap from the image, breaking the frame and extending into real space. Popcorn was exhibited in the Food Fight Exhibition at the Grand Theater Display Case from February to April 2025, where its playful approach to media captured attention for both its humor and innovation.

Inspiration & Meaning
At its core, Popcorn is about joy and surprise—the everyday moment of popcorn popping transformed into a visual celebration of movement. The piece invites viewers to laugh, pause, and look closer as the subject seems to escape its frame, spilling into the real world. By pushing beyond two dimensions, the 3D Artwork Collection captures a sense of play, showing how art can cross boundaries of medium and expectation to engage with viewers in new, unexpected ways.