Paper Craft Research: Cybele Young

Cybele Young

Within Reach, 2015, Japanese paper construction, 32 x 28 x 2 inches

In this project we are tasked with researching the works of renowned papercraft artists/sculptors. We had a considerable amount of artists to choose from but the works of Cybele young stood out to me.

Cybele Young is a Toronto-based artist and author, she utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to art making,

her works have this organic feel to it especially with the materiality of paper she uses, most of being Japanese mulberry paper "kozogami and Mitsumatagami' and hand crafted pieces. Young has a precise way of interacting with the medium, she juxtaposes the sculptures to create a sense of dialogue between them and it manifest into something theatrical like miniature papers plays.

"At Any Given Time"

I took a liking Young's work because of its organic nature and manipulation of paper. Most Paper sculptors like Matthew Shlian and Zim Zhou have a machine fabricated approach to cutting paper, it exceeds with precision but Youngs hands-on approach evokes a warm and considerate level of care. Her control of paper makes it appear like woven fabric or wool, totally mesmerizing to the eye and even more surprising when you take a closer look.

We can see the wonderful use of mulberry paper below, multiple layers of the material exists and it has this fabric like character akin to felt. But it has been precisely cut and folded to appear seamless. I'm just charmed by the artists care for the material.

I Thought They Worked Better. Paper. 33 x 28 x 2.5 in.

It Came With Me Everywhere. Paper. 19 x 38 x 4 in.

Sources ;

Artist website : Cybèle Young (cybeleyoung.ca)

Forum Gallery : Cybèle Young: “Some Changes Were Made” - Exhibitions - Forum Gallery

Colossal: Cybele Young’s Paper Sculptures Depict Everyday Objects Metamorphosing into Otherworldly Creatures | Colossal (thisiscolossal.com)

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