There's a renaissance underway in the art form of cut paper, with an explosion of raw talent and an abundance of amazing work produced in the medium in recent years. This gorgeous volume features work from 26 contemporary international artists who are creating images of astonishing intricacy, using little more than paper and blade. Featuring a host of new discoveries and including art by such stars as Nikki McClure, Rob Ryan, and Thomas Allen, as well as a number of emerging practitioners, Paper Cutting is sure to engage art buffs and indie crafters alike. An in-depth introduction by paper art expert Natalie Avella illuminates the rich history of the centuries-old form, and a whimsical preface by beloved artist Rob Ryan rounds out this delightful collection.
Paper Cutting Book: Conemporary Artists, Timeless Craft
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"This jaw-dropping book is a feast for the eyes that will appeal to a wide spectrum of readers, from professional paper cutters to casual observers of the art." - School Library Journal
About the Author
Rob Ryan is a visual artist specializing in paper cutting. He lives in London.
Natalie Avella is an art and design writer and author of numerous books who lives in London.
Laura Heyenga is an editor at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She lives in Berkeley, California.
Natalie Avella is an art and design writer and author of numerous books who lives in London.
Laura Heyenga is an editor at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She lives in Berkeley, California.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By N.M.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As easily as Alice falls down the rabbit hole, Laura Heyenga's compilation pulls us into the magical land of paper cutting. Page by page we encounter amusements, contemplations, and oddities that reveal the depth flat paper can convey in the hands of 26 paper artists of diverse talent. Natile Avelia's introduction briefly covers history and provides important, well-written narrative snippets on each artist. To readers' delight, Rob Ryan was chosen to preface the book.
So why four stars?
My list of criticisms, preferences & observations:
Every photo is of a finished piece. I crave process shots beyond the two small photos of two separate pieces in the introduction.
The materials list for each piece is pitiful. Some examples: paper and acrylic paint; paper and emulsion; black paper. Uhm, what kind of paper? What weight? What type of acrylic?
Few pieces show scale. No measurements are provided. Some have reference in relationship to walls and books. The very last page with Hina Aoyama's delicate cutting held in a palm accentuates the importance of scale to the viewer.
I would have liked specific history on a few pieces: the amount of time a selected work took, how it was born, the difficulty. Fortunately at the beginning of each gallery we are provided a paragraph of insight into the artist's overall motivations.
Each artist's work covers 4-8 pages. On many pages a photo fills just 55% of the page with small type at the bottom of the page. (The type gives the title, year and/or material used.) Those small photos obscure the art. A larger easier-to-read font should have been used. I'd have paid more for a better layout.
Nearly all the featured artists are art/design graduates. I think Nikki McClure was the only autodidact. I'd have enjoyed seeing more self-taught artists. (Nikki's bio in the book delights.) But, this does not diminish the featured artists, each deserves their place in this creme de la creme book.
The majority of pieces are ethnic neutral. No papel picado, wycinanki, kirie, etc. That's an observation, not a gripe.
Much of the artists' work is available for viewing on the web. (But really, how handy is that?)
Biases and shortcomings aside, the book contains variety, surprise, skill and joy. Life tumbles from one page to the next. Paper Cutting lays an engaging visual feast at our fingertips and is worth the groceries forfeited to buy it.
So why four stars?
My list of criticisms, preferences & observations:
Every photo is of a finished piece. I crave process shots beyond the two small photos of two separate pieces in the introduction.
The materials list for each piece is pitiful. Some examples: paper and acrylic paint; paper and emulsion; black paper. Uhm, what kind of paper? What weight? What type of acrylic?
Few pieces show scale. No measurements are provided. Some have reference in relationship to walls and books. The very last page with Hina Aoyama's delicate cutting held in a palm accentuates the importance of scale to the viewer.
I would have liked specific history on a few pieces: the amount of time a selected work took, how it was born, the difficulty. Fortunately at the beginning of each gallery we are provided a paragraph of insight into the artist's overall motivations.
Each artist's work covers 4-8 pages. On many pages a photo fills just 55% of the page with small type at the bottom of the page. (The type gives the title, year and/or material used.) Those small photos obscure the art. A larger easier-to-read font should have been used. I'd have paid more for a better layout.
Nearly all the featured artists are art/design graduates. I think Nikki McClure was the only autodidact. I'd have enjoyed seeing more self-taught artists. (Nikki's bio in the book delights.) But, this does not diminish the featured artists, each deserves their place in this creme de la creme book.
The majority of pieces are ethnic neutral. No papel picado, wycinanki, kirie, etc. That's an observation, not a gripe.
Much of the artists' work is available for viewing on the web. (But really, how handy is that?)
Biases and shortcomings aside, the book contains variety, surprise, skill and joy. Life tumbles from one page to the next. Paper Cutting lays an engaging visual feast at our fingertips and is worth the groceries forfeited to buy it.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By lauraliz
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am generally not a book buyer. I'm more of a library-goer, and I am rarely so tempted to purchase any book, but this one was worth it. My artsy/craftsy side has been dormant for quite awhile, but looking through this book has got me stirred up! I can't wait to get going on some projects :)
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By andrew
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this for a friend. I do wish some of the images were larger, but overall, it was a very simple, clean format and easy to read art book. Always glad to see contemporary art books.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have scissors, good glass and you're on!
It is amazing the entertainment one can undergo with simplistic materials at hand. A piece of paper, an imagination and a work of symmetry - voila! Art!
Published 18 days ago by Kathleen Willoughby
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is amazing!
I haven't read through it all - but it is a wonderful compilation of different paper cutting techniques. Many great and inspiring photos!
Published 1 month ago by Tabbetha
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paper Cutting Book: Contemporary Artists, Timeless Craft
Quite beautiful. Full of gorgeous illustrations and shows some great ideas. It is also the perfect gift for anyone interested in paper crafts.
Published 4 months ago by Nancy E Milford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paper Cutting
Beautiful book! Paper cutting, paper sculpture ... anything to do with paper is truly an art-form and can be used for so many projects. From small cards to enormous sculptures!! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Puff
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like paper cutting art, this book is for you.
Like all Chronicle Books, this volume is well designed and produced. It features a wide variety of this type of art, all in color. Excellent for afficianados of paper art.
Published 4 months ago by Steven E. Frenkel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sad shadows in white spaces,,,
Paper cutting artists that push the boundaries: Japanese waves the size of rooms, metaphoric skeletons dwelling in monotonous white spaces and shadows with kitsch Cowboys fighting... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Darren Ng
4.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful inspiration
This is a beautiful book of amazing paper creations. I have spent hours flipping through it looking at the designs.
The pieces are well-photographed. Read more
The pieces are well-photographed. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rebecca Benson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beyond all Expectations
This is a truly beautiful book. The artists' works in cut paper are difficult to believe in their concepts and intricacy. The photographic rendering is also gorgeous. Read more
Published 6 months ago by PJ12
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just beautiful.
Beautiful artwork, beautifully photographed. I've look at this book over and over since I got it a few months ago, and I keep finding details that I hadn't noticed before. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent
Great examples of the variety of cut paper artists. Close-ups of artwork and brief descriptions make the techniques comprehensive, beautiful reproductions.
Published 17 months ago by A.J. Hills
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