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Arts, Culture & Media

Some Inspiration for Turning Your Taxes Into Art

Studio 360
Diana Beltran Herrera

Paperwork doesn’t have to be mind-numbing. It can be mind-blowingly beautiful. For our De-File Your Taxeslistener challenge we want you to turn your 1040 forminto something a little less taxing —an original work of art. Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal will select the winner of our contest on Tax Day. But be warned: our April 3rd deadline is coming up faster than you’ll cash your return, and we still want your submissions.

Unsure of how paper can be art outside of a coloring book?

You could swirl your 1040 into delicate twists like Ann Martin did in her entry, turning her tax form into a bluebird necklace:

Ann Martin's 'Bluebird of Happiness' pendant is made from a cut-up IRS form 1040

Ann Martin’s “Bluebird of Happiness” pendant is made from a cut-up IRS form 1040
(Ann Martin)

Looking for inspiration beyond the De-File Your Taxes entries we’ve received so far, you could follow the example of Yulia Brodskaya, whose amazing 3-D artwork is made entirely of paper and glue:

Yulia Brodskaya uses paper and glue to make intricate 3-D artwork

Yulia Brodskaya uses paper and glue to make intricate 3-D artwork
(Yulia Brodskaya)

Cut and paste it into sophisticated lifelike sculptures like this paper toucan by Diana Beltran Herrera:

The artist Diana Beltran Herrera specializes in cut-paper sculptures like this toucan

The artist Diana Beltran Herrera specializes in cut-paper sculptures like this toucan
(Diana Beltran Herrera)

Make a papercut landscape like this work from Eiko Ojala:

This paper landscape is the work of Eiko Ojala, an illustrator and graphic designer based in Estonia

This paper landscape is the work of Eiko Ojala, an illustrator and graphic designer based in Estonia
(Eiko Ojala)

Or turn that tax return into an origami Darth Vader:

Now go De-File your Taxes!

Let's face it, Agent Smith probably worked for the IRS

Let’s face it, Agent Smith probably worked for the IRS
(Senorgif.com via Giphy)
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