Our January Artist of the month goes to Margaret Griffith who makes paper-based sculptures and installations in response to both nature and the built environment.
Margaret Griffith
Los Angeles, CA
USA
Website: www.margaretgriffith.com
Instagram:
"It’s the idea that drives the work which has led me to use paper more as a sculpture and installation material than as just a surface to draw on."
Where do you make your paper art?
In my studio in the Los Angeles area of Altadena.
How long have you been working with paper?
I have worked with paper throughout my entire professional artist career.
How would you describe your approach to paper art?
Conceptually. It’s the idea that drives the work which has led me to use paper more as a sculpture and installation material than as just a surface to draw on.
Where do you find inspiration?
The built environment- architecture, pattern and design, other artists, nature.
Describe your work to us in three words:
Big, fragile, thoughtful.
What are your favorite papers to work with?
Stonehenge for paper cutting and recently Canon Ingres for ink drawings.
What tool could you not live without?
X-acto knife, my large cutting mats, Lineco glue, scissors sharpies and pencils.
What is the best thing about working with paper as a medium?
It is accessible, comes in a huge range of sizes, it’s lightweight, feels great to touch and has infinite possibilities.
Who are your favorite paper artists?
Zarina, Nancy Rubins graphite drawings, Tam Van Tran, Leigh Suggs…I could go on forever. Too many to name.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am finishing up a large scale white hand cut paper installation that hangs from ceiling to floor for a group exhibition “Let Me Talk” at The Brand Gallery in Glendale, CA. The exhibition opens January 22nd and will include an outdoor steel sculpture as well.
