I have always loved paper cut artworks so when I ran across Su Blackwell‘s work I could not have been more thrilled. When I tell you that this London based artist’s paper cuts jump right from the pages of a story book, I mean it quite literally. Su Blackwell uses the pages of books to create 3 dimensional paper cut sculptures that are beautiful, delicate, intricate fairy tales. From the pages of an open book her artwork springs to life.
Su says of her work…
”I often work within the realm of fairy-tales and folk-lore. I began making a series of book-sculpture, cutting-out images from old books to create three-dimensional diorama’s, and displaying them inside wooden boxes”.
”For the cut-out illustrations, I tend to lean towards young-girl characters, placing them in haunting, fragile settings, expressing the vulnerability of childhood, while also conveying a sense of childhood anxiety and wonder. There is a quiet melancholy in the work, depicted in the material used, and choice of subtle color.”
Looks at these close up photos of The Baron in the Tree. Each angle reveals something new, tiny details that create the fairy tale.
Commissioned by Fairmont Hotel, Abu Dhabi 2013
Thru her profile and portfolio, I have also learned that Su Blackwell’s sculptures are not confined to the pages of a book. Although the inspiration may be the same you can see Blackwell’s work in installation pieces like The Children’s Study Installation at the Bronte Parsonage Museum, Haworth, 2010.
Store window displays like the Christmas Windows at Nicole Farhi, London 2010
and even in the set-design for ‘The Snow Queen’ at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, 2011
These lovely photos can only begin to examine the work of this amazing artist. If you would like to read more about Su Blackwell, her life, her work, and her portfolio please visit her website. You will not be disappointed!
