Master of the
creative Oak Bay’s Russell Papp By Sean McIntyre Photos by Don Denton
R
ussell Papp can recall the thrill of receiving a new roll of masking tape for his fourth birthday. Whereas most kids would likely stare at their parents disbelievingly—awaiting the punchline to what must certainly be a cruel joke—Russell got to work, transforming discarded pieces of cardboard, egg cartons and other household leftovers into elaborate sculptures drawn from his imagination. Russell’s mastery of masking tape would be his gateway to bigger, more elaborate projects to come. “It starts with masking tape, then the hot glue gun comes around and, from there, there’s the nail gun and table saws and MIG welders, and it just evolves,” he says. “My imagination grew as my toolbox and my skill set expanded. The eclectic nature of my work evolved out of my interest in materials and how things are made.” These days, the Oak Bay landscape designer and sculptor’s work is highly sought after among corporate clients and private citizens who yearn for a distinctively creative flair that’s fused with inspiration from southern Vancouver Island’s iconic landscape. 28
TWEED
SUMMER 2021