Engineer Matthew Shlian Turns Ordinary Sheets Of Paper Into Geometric Works Of Art

Paper is such a versatile material. It’s been around to help record the momentous milestones throughout history and now we use it for virtually anything. From product labels, receipts, resumes, books, product packaging, and even artworks – paper has become an integral material that we simply can’t do without. And some artists don’t just use paper as a medium for them to lay their vibrant creative visions on. Matthew Shlian, an artist and paper engineer who creates mind-blowing 3D paper sculptures is one of them. Through masterful and meticulous folds, he transforms flat, ordinary sheets into riveting 3D paper sculptures.

Initially, Shlian intended to learn how to do ceramic art. However, he realized that he wasn’t going to be content in learning just one craft. So, he decided to learn them all. “I began as an undergrad: I originally went to school for ceramics, but realized early on that I was interested in everything,” he said. “I studied glass, painting, performance, sound, and by the end I had a dual major in ceramics and print media.” Despite having two majors, Shlia’s preference for understanding things through a spatial aspect and love for geometry eventually pushed him to experiment with print media. He explained:

“I wasn’t making traditional print of ceramic work at that point. Instead I would create large diagonal prints and using a series of cut scores and creases create large scale pop up spreads. I was making 4 foot v-folds or fold pieces.”

 

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Ara 322 26” x 26” x 1” Paper 1/26/2018 test – available, email for details. #shlian #paper #artwork #40steps

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“I loved the immediacy of paper as a medium. Figuring out the pieces was like solving a puzzle. I understand things spatially; I have to see something to make sense of it.”

 

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This weeks auction piece is a test from the Process Series (Filament in 2020) 8 1/4″ x 8 1/4″ x 1/2″ This was a designed before the final Filament was made for Eight Emperors. It ended up being too much paper and hard to produce. I made exactly one of them and then smartened up. It’s yours if you want it. It’s the same deal as previous weeks: I’m donating 50% of the auction sale to @foodgatherers – our local food bank. COVID-19 has many families experiencing increased food insecurity, and many will turn to food pantries for the first time. Let’s do some good. You get art, I get to keep making art and we get to feed people together. International bids are now available, we’ve found some countries are experience shipping delays but we will figure it out. Auction ends Sunday night 5/31 at 9pm EST. You can place a bid in the BID HERE comment below. Since the start of the pandemic we’ve raised over $10,000 for food banks – that’s over 30,000 meals for @foodgatherers !! Might do an unholy piece next week as an auction. Not sure if it’s a bad idea. #shlian #paper #art #paperart #design #light #sculpture #contemporaryart #fineart #artauction #covidrelief #foodbanks

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Paper engineer Matthew Shlian transforms ordinary sheets of paper into riveting 3D paper sculptures

Eventually, Shlian’s predilection for creating geometric sculptures with paper caught the attention of one of his faculty advisers, Anne Currier. Upon seeing his interest about the craft, she began purchasing pop-up books for him to study. Shlian would reverse-engineer the pop-ups featured in the books. This served as a very pivotal point in his journey as a paper engineer and artist. In fact, Shlian shared that the experience has taught him to be more open-minded and relentlessly curious when thinking about new ways to create.

“My process is extremely varied from piece to piece. Often I start without a clear goal in mind, working within a series of limitations.”

 

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Happy holidays xoxo Matt

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“I’d say my starting point is curiosity; I have to make the work in order to understand it. If I can completely visualize my final result I have no reason to make it – I need to be surprised.”

 

 

Shlian has held and participated in hundreds of exhibits

Soon after graduating from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2002, his work entitled “Overspray” was featured by a magazine that featured stencil and street art in New York. He has been invited to hundreds of exhibitions all over the world. The artist has also successfully held solo exhibitions, and even launched a book that featured a collection of his kinetic, 3D paper sculptures.

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Ara 333 (hollow) with litho gradient 24″ x 24″ x 1/2″ 5/10/2018 #shlian #paper #art

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RLRR Hollow Gold 22 x 27 x 1” Assembled Paper on Litho gradient 5/19/2018 #shlian #paper #art

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His work has also been commissioned by loads of big names in various industries

Due to the unique and captivating appeal of his work, many big industry names have tapped Shlian to create something for them. Shlian has created sculptures for Apple, P&G, Herman Miller, and even the United States mint. In addition, he has also created pieces for LEVI’s, SUPREME, and the Queen of Jordan. He even got to work with scientists at the University of Michigan!

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Unholy 116 Your Other Left Hand 37” x 48” x 5” Paper #shlian #paper #art #sculpture

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He has worked with scientists too

“I use my engineering skills to create kinetic sculpture which have led to collaborations with scientists at University of Michigan. We work on the nanoscale, translating paper sculptures to micro folds. Our investigations extend to visualizing cellular division and solar cell development.”

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I’m team teaching a 2 week class this summer with @valpurilitho at @haystack_school in Maine. Join us August 9-21st we will be teaching paper sculpture and printmaking TOGETHER. Valpuri is the Master Printer at the Tamarind Institute and she is simply the best. Registration is now live (Link in Bio). Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is an international craft school located on the Atlantic Ocean in Deer Isle, Maine (It’s beautiful- You stay in a cabin on the water and get to make art non stop for two weeks and they ring this gong and cook food for you three times a day). The workshop is open to adults 18 years or older of all skill levels – from beginners to advanced professionals. Class Info: Participants will learn the elements of both paper mechanics and monotype printing techniques then apply them to books, collapsible structures, and foldable sculpture. Students will be guided in how to choose the right paper, how to modify and roll ink and how to create color areas and textures with monotyping technique. The 3D portion will include curve folding, pleating systems, and modular design in paper craft. See you there. Every Line Is A Circle If You Make It Long Enough (2017) Matthew Shlian at the Tamarind Institute #shlian #paper #art #paperart #design #light #sculpture #contemporaryart #fineart #tamarindinstitute #haystackmountainschoolofcrafts #valpuri

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“Researchers see paper engineering as a metaphor for scientific principles; I see their inquiry as a basis for artistic inspiration.”

 

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Unholy 180 (in gold) Paper 40” x 48” x 5” #shlian #paper #art #paperart #design #light #sculpture #contemporaryart

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His 3D paper sculptures are inspired by the most interesting things

Every artist has their muse. Many take inspiration from nature, like miniature paper craft artist Tianna Lissova, who creates adorable yet incredibly detailed potted plants and bouquets of flowers. After all, with all the unique beauty growing all around us, it would hard to not be inspired by nature’s wonders.

For Shlian’s 3D paper sculptures, he shared that he takes special interest in solar cell design, protein misfolding, Islamic tile patterning, systematic drawing, architecture, biomimetics, and music. And aside from these minute yet intricate patterns, Shlian also looks for inspiration from musicians, performers, writers, visual artists, producers, and other makers and thinkers.

 

 

Many of these paper sculptures resemble dragon scales

Shlia doesn’t just use ordinary paper you’d find at your local stationery shop to make his extraordinary 3D paper sculptures. Instead he uses premium paper like acid-free archival paper from Neenah Paper for his white-colored works. Then, when he decides to create something colorful, he’ll work with sheets from Canson and Colorplan. Shlian is careful when it comes to choosing the paper and glue that go into his sculptures. With all these precautions in place, Shlian considers something else as a threat to his works’ quality:

“Everything I make is create is made with acid-free archival papers and glue. They will not yellow in the sun or fade over time. Their biggest enemy is dust and curious fingers. People always want to touch it!”

 

 

 

The 3D paper sculptures will stand the test of time as long as you take care of them properly

This isn’t a snooty request on his part. In fact, if you’ve ever attended an art show, you’ve probably encountered this forewarning. This isn’t just because the artist or gallery doesn’t want you leaving your fingerprints on a piece (but that’s part of it). Touching will transfer dirt particles, sweet and bodily oils that may damage the work in the long run, and since this isn’t obvious to the naked eye, it’s best to avoid it entirely! The artist recommends having the 3D paper sculptures placed in a shadowbox-type frame to keep it safe from being touched.

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Ara211 48 x 83 x 7″ paper #shlian #paperart

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Collectors interested in acquiring 3D paper sculptures by Matthew Shlian can get in touch with the artist by filling out his contact page at his website. He also released a book entitled ‘Unfolding’ – get it on Amazon.

 

Watch him talk about ‘Unfolding’ here

Source: Matthew Shlian Website | Instagram| Facebook | Amazon