Matt Shlian is the Master of Folding Colorful Paper

By
Chris L
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Image via matthewshlihan on Instagram

Believe it or not, these beautiful pieces of art aren’t made with photoshop or any computer tool, but of ordinary sheets of paper.

The mastermind behind these artworks is an artist called Matt Shlian. Although Shilan was studying ceramics, he soon figured out that he is more into folding things. The ‘paper engineer’ seeks inspiration in everywhere, solar cell design, protein misfolding, Islamic tile patterning, systematic drawing, architecture, biomimetics, music etc.

“My process is extremely varied from piece to piece.  Often I start without a clear goal in mind, working within a series of limitations.” Shilan wrote. “For example, on one piece I’ll only use curved folds, or make my lines this length or that angle etc.  Other times I begin with an idea for movement and try to achieve that shape or form somehow.”

Check out his work below.

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Ara111 38" x 60" x 3" Inkwash on paper Ara 111 is a transitional piece and an important predecessor to Ara 117. Founded on the principles of Islamic patterns and designs, the composition originates in the center and grows outward but extends well beyond the confines of Ara 117. For me, this was an important piece as it lead me to discover the forms that emerge when I allowed this pattern to proliferate. This also was an experiment in tonal gradation. I applied a series of ink wash solutions ranging from dark to light to the paper and then placed the sheets on a flatbed plotter to cut them out. Because of the range in values painted across the shapes whose outlines were laid out using AutoCad, there was mystery behind how the final piece would come out. In this way, Ara 111 balances a sense of uncertainty within a meticulous framework. My compositions usually appear as though they are created with folds from a single sheet of paper; however, they are built and tiled much like a mosaic. Each unit is made individually; it is cut, creased, folded, glued and assembled to a backer sheet. It is a laborious task, one that takes weeks to design and execute. I enjoy the process, for me it is a form of mediation. I often tell my students that it takes me 15 years to make one piece in a few days.

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