WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 22, 2017 — The art of paper cutting transforms the walls of the Nutting Gallery into a lacy display of talent as West Liberty University welcomes artist Kathryn Carr to campus. The public opening will take place from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., today, March 22.
“Don’t miss this display. It’s dramatic and beautiful,” said Robert Villamagna, curator of the Nutting Gallery and WLU assistant professor of art. Carr is from Pittsburgh and is a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.
Scherenschnitte (pronounced Sharon – SNITT-tah), which means “scissor cuts” in German, is the art of paper cutting design. The artwork often has rotational symmetry within the design, and common forms include silhouettes, valentines, and love letters. Founded in Switzerland and Germany in the 16th century, scherenschnitte was brought to Colonial America in the 18th century by Dutch immigrants who settled primarily in Pennsylvania.
“Since 2008, I have been experimenting with my own contemporary style of scherenschnitte. I was inspired by the stark black and white imagery of block printing and wanted to create a similar look and feel but with a simpler process and fewer materials. I am enticed by the bold effects of the cut paper silhouette and the dramatic play of the shadows they cast. I love how the simplicity of the lines in a silhouette can produce such complex expressions and conjure vivid memories and feelings,” explained Carr.
“I start with a basic image or idea in my mind, then examine different ways and possibilities to portray it. I try and use a composition that is different from the ordinary. I sketch out my idea, with careful consideration of the lines and shapes that will be cut away. Sometimes my designs are all from one piece of paper, others use an assortment of papers. I then draw the image on the back of the paper that is to be cut. Using a precision knife I start the cutting process. I try and cut from the middle of the design first, turning the paper when I need to cut in different directions. Cutting from the middle of the design helps keep the stability of the paper intact. My favorite part of the process is when a section is cut out and removed to reveal the empty space,” she added.
Carr teaches paper cutting classes and also reproduces the original paper cut images to make digital printed greeting cards and prints which are for sale on her webpage, gocarrgo.com. She also has a line of greeting cards that are sold in shops nationally, and has illustrated a children’s book, “Lizbeth Lou Got a Rock in Her Shoe.”
She is a graduate of Edinboro University (1994) with a BFA in art education
Born in Seattle, she was raised in the East Coast and has lived in Alaska, Azerbaijan and Florida. Her current affiliations include:
- Professional Teaching Artist with the Lifetime Arts
- Board Member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh
- Guild of American Paper Cutters
- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Kathryn Carr’s work will remain on display until April 13. For more information, please contact Villamagna at rvillama@westliberty.edu or 304-336-8370.
Dedicated to educating, enriching and engaging students and the public through art exhibitions of the highest quality, the Nutting Gallery fulfills this mission through eight exhibitions during the academic year. This exhibition schedule includes five exhibitions by visiting artists, two Senior Exhibitions, and the Annual Art Faculty Exhibition. The Nutting Gallery is also dedicated to supporting the educational and cultural mission of West Liberty University.