Using just one single sheet of paper, Japanese artist Nahoko Kojima delicately hand-cut this amazing Cloud Leopard Papercut sculpture to mimic the shape of a large spotted animal, whiskers and all. Her steady hands and extreme patience were tested throughout the duration of the cutting process, which took five months to complete. Inspired by humans, animals, forces of nature, and life in general, Kojima focuses on both the positive and negative space to produce her intriguing three dimensional forms.
Suspended from the ceiling, the fragile animal shape is maintained through a careful placement of thin wire. However, as visitors move around and change perspective, the reflections of light and shadow, the rounded curves, and the hollow space become an ever-changing form. Kojima says, “The curiosity of Paper Cut Art for me is that you can express all dimensions of the world by using a single sheet of paper.”
The talented artist is part of Solo Kojima–a creative partnership between herself and British designer Shari Solo–which specializes in Japanese papercut art and design. The delicate sculpture was revealed at in 2012 during Craft Council’s show at the Saatchi Gallery in London, and has since been exhibited in other cities around the world, including Italy and Paris.
