Ana Paúl

Paper artist

©Ana Paul

©mariaprimo

Forests of the mind

Ana studied paper engineering in the UK
She is attracted to the 3D potential of paper
Her Reforestation series is her response to the Covid-19 times

Colourful textured paper scraps overflow from Ana Paúl’s working tables at her Madrid atelier. She is working on a project that is blooming into lush forests or foliage. Drawn to the volumetric effect of 3D pop-up book art, Ana returned to Spain in 2010 after working in the luxury fashion and decor industry in Paris for 20 years. She came back to work on designing artful paper invitations for a high-end clientele. With the years, her work has shifted towards more artistic creations with paper. Ana is influenced by Orientalism, and her cherry blossom-inspired forests are what launched her as a paper artist. Her collections are chromatic compositions of rich textures within the forest theme. From papyrus’ delicate ethereal petals to layers, in her collections she explores themes of the human experience.

Interview

©mariaprimo

©mariaprimo

What is the earliest recollection you have of your paperwork?: I used to collect all sorts of papers and scraps to make my own collages to decorate my school folders and notebooks, winning the admiration of my classmates. I continued to practise this throughout the years, creating 3D montages inside boxes for my friends.
What are your sources of inspiration?: I can be inspired by many things but I realised I am always influenced by Orientalism. Closer to home, I am inspired by the rich and varied vegetation of El Retiro Park, a few blocks away from my atelier. In truth, the forest in my mind is where fantasy, textures, colour and fragrance merge.
Can you pinpoint a turning point in your career as a paper artist?: A casual consultation with Madrid gallerist Carlos Duran Baste on digital marketing, led me to designer Patricia Urquiola who commissioned 18 works for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Barcelona. This was an unexpected and profound recognition of my work.
What is your stance on collaborations?: I love connecting with beautiful stories. Once, I was commissioned by Hermès to participate in the 2021 Solidarity Christmas Tree next to various artists. Another time, I worked with La Cama Sol Poetry/Art Editions to merge the lightness of my paper petal works with Syrian poet Maram al-Masri’s book, Metro – a homage to the Paris metro.

Ana Paúl is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1986