Fenfolio: papercutting

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Thursday, 11 May 2017

Artistic Explorations: Papercutting (2)

Spring is in full swing here and weeks are flying past before you know it! It's been a while since I posted here but all for a good reason. Since the end of last year I have been working (on and off) on a papercut commission for a friend. Last week I delivered the two pieces.

Before I started my work we discussed what kind of design and colours she wanted it to have. For the dining room she wanted to have a botanical design (http://fenfolio.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/artistic-explorations-papercutting-1.html) in the colours deep red/orange/yellow to fit with a sofa there. For the living room she wanted to have something that would suit the current colour scheme cerulean blue/turquoise/sepia and coastal theme.

Here I have started cutting out my design for the large piece "Botanical Patterns Red/Orange/Yellow", 92 x 67 cm.

Cutting out my design ©Fenfolio2017

Once finished I laid it on coloured paper to see all was fine.

Botanical Patterns papercut on brown paper ©Fenfolio2017

Then I painted the papercut with Golden High Flow Acrylics in the colours red, orange and yellow.

Botanical Patterns Red/Orange/Yellow ©Fenfolio2017

Close-up Botanical Patterns Red/Orange/Yellow ©Fenfolio2017

The second piece was smaller and a new design all together. After I made a few sketches and played with some patterns I decided on this design for "Coastal Patterns", 50 x 37 cm.

Coastal Patterns papercut on blue paper ©Fenfolio2017

Once finished I painted the papercut with Golden High Flow Acrylics again in the colours blue, turquoise and sepia.

Coastal Patterns papercut in blue, turquoise and sepia ©Fenfolio2017

Close-up of Coastal Patterns papercut in blue, turquoise and sepia
©Fenfolio2017

Both are hung in an acrylic frame. Hopefully soon I can take some photos while the sun is shining as shadows will be displayed on the wall behind the papercut creating a 3D effect. I will update here then. My friend is delighted with the pieces and that makes me happy too!

Thursday, 23 February 2017

Mind and Memory Art Show Aberdeen

Recently I submitted two experimental pieces for the Mind and Memory Art Show, organised by Aberdeen Artists Society and hosted by Aberdeen Dementia Resources Centre. I'm delighted that both have been accepted!

A very broad interpretation of mind and memory could be taken, for example considering brain activity and structure in terms of figurative or abstract landscapes to dreams, hallicunation, fantasy and realism from development to degeneration.

This brief and browsing on Pinterest gave me lots of ideas and I decided to create two sculptural works. It was risky because I have just started exploring the 3D approach, but I thought "nothing ventured, nothing gained".

Mind Map is created with Dutch maps which I painted with Golden High Flow and then cut with a scalpel and punching tools. It consists of 4 different layers (incl. background) which have been pinned down on cardboard.

I submitted the following statement:
This piece is my interpretation of how our brain is structured. It's a cross section of the three brain layers. Each layer shows a different cell pattern and colour. The tracks, roads and waterways on the maps correspond with interconnections between the cells. The size is A4.

Mind Map ©Fenfolio2017

Close-up Mind Map ©Fenfolio2017

For Reminiscence I printed old handwritten letters from my family, old photos from Aberdeen and and old map onto tracing paper. These were then framed into metallic curtain grommets and pinned down on a handmade and embossed print (which didn't have enough ink), subtly rubbed with some graphite to reveal the textures.

I submitted the following statement:
Snippets of memories in the form of old (family) photos and letters are popping up from a fading grey and textured background which represents the brain activity and structure of a patient. Although some patents might have lost their long term memory, going back to the past could help their loved ones and caretakers in dealing with the disease.

Reminiscence ©Fenfolio2017

Close-up Reminiscence ©Fenfolio2017

The exhibition will take place at Aberdeen Dementia Resources Centre in Kings Street and opens on the 8th of March, 6-9 pm. It will run until the 7th of April, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm. In this press release in one of the local papers you can read more about it.

Saturday, 2 April 2016

Artistic Explorations: Papercutting (1)

Recently I added a new art medium to my palette; papercutting. During a 4-week workshop run by artist Anna Shirron, I have been working on an A1 sized cartridge paper, carefully cutting out sections with a scalpel knife to create a design. Once I figured out that certain sections shouldn't be cut away to keep the design strong, I really enjoyed the meditative process. The technique is very effective, even with simple designs and the results are striking.

For my design I chose various flowers such as cow parsley and teasels, inspired by printmaker artist Angie Lewin.

Angie Lewin print

This is my papercutting (A1 size) with a black paper as background.

Floral papercut with black paper as background
©Fenfolio2016

Floral papercut close-up ©Fenfolio2016

We had so much fun just taking photos of our artwork and using the light source to create various patterns on the wall! I'm already thinking of using this technique to create a new lampshade at home.

After the workshop we put all our work in front of windows as part of the exhibition at Woodend Barn. This was the trickiest bit of all! It really looks fab and we already received a lot of feedback.

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