Last Updated on February 26, 2024
People have been turning paper into beautiful works of art for centuries. Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is one such example.
But that’s not the only way for you to create exceptional works of art using paper. Add a pair of scissors into the equation, and you’ll open up an endless number of opportunities.
Paper cutting is another form of art that involves creating wonderful works of art using paper. Although you see a lot of modern designs, the art has actually been around since 4th century AD. It started in China, but has taken on different forms as the love for it spread to other places.
Today, a lot of other cultures have placed their own mark on paper cutting. It is called Kirigami in Japan, and Batik in Indonesia. The art is also applied to the Philippine tradition of making “parol” (a star-shaped lantern traditionally used during the Christmas season). There are also Indian, Jewish, Mexican, Swedish and Swiss versions of it.
And of course, there are artists who may use some of the elements of all these different versions of paper cutting and apply it to their own interpretation of it.
There are a number of notable paper cutting artists who inspire and awe us with their skills. Here are some that you should follow:
- Yuko Yamamoto
- Elsa Mora
- Mia Pearlman
- Hina Aoyama
- Karen Bit Vejle
- Sharon Arnold
- Bovey Lee
- Jaq Belcher
- Annie Vought
- Kako Ueda
- Georgia Russell
- Xin Song
- Amy Flurry and Nikki Nye of Paper-Cut-Project
- Lisa Rodden
- Peter Callesen
These artists, and a lot more, have their own approach and style. It’s interesting to see how their work vary from each other, yet have a few similarities here and there. Take a look at some of the best example of paper cutting you’ll find anywhere: