Matthew Shlian is drawn to the basic elements of paper, exploring the ways in which simple cuts and folds can create complex geometric forms. But don’t call him a paper artist. A self-proclaimed paper engineer, Shlian has attracted a cult following thanks to his unique treatment of paper as both a means and an end.
“The definition of artist is shifting,” reflected Shlian in an interview with Yatzer. “People who think that the artist works alone, wearing a beret and painting all day, are mistaken in this notion. It takes a lot of resourcefulness to succeed as an artist. Someone close to me once joked that it took me ten years to become an overnight sensation.”
Indeed, if there’s one thing Shlian doesn’t shy away from it’s hard work. His work, which requires a deep level of understanding of forms and shapes, often includes collaborations with experts outside of the art world. The end result, more often than not, looks like an optical illusion of sorts—made to perfection.
According to Shlian, he was first drawn to paper as a medium because he loved its immediacy. “My interest in geometric form led me to paper – then paper led me to pop-up books,” he explained. “Mechanical movement in paper engineering led me to architecture and design, which in turn led to my collaborating with people outside of the art world.”
Scroll down to see some of his incredible pieces.
