Colour pops from paper bouquets
- Lucia is a self-taught paper artist
- She works remotely for clients around the world
- Weddings make up the majority of her commissions
For Lucia Curzio, a geography graduate, origami was a self-taught hobby, until she started receiving requests from friends and selling her paper floral decorations online. While teaching at high school, she got a huge commission from a gallery in London preparing a sculpture exhibition. That was a turning point for her. She then won a two-year tender from a business incubator in Brescia, and despite the pandemic managed to start her own business. She then moved to Sweden. Lucia's work in part of a contemporary movement of paper artistry. "In fact, it is hard to make myself known. Weddings make up the majority of my commissions. In Sweden the culture of paper and decorations in general is more similar to what I do,” she explains.
Interview
- What inspires you to nurture your creativity?
- Fresh flowers, of course! I am really passionate about seeing what florists do. In general I am very impressed by the colour palettes of everything, everywhere, be it a tree, a rock or a house. I keep my eyes wide open and take photographic notes as I walk.
- Do you have a signature that makes your work particularly recognisable?
- I am not a purist origami artist. I have always used the origami technique combining it with other methods, such as cutting. Besides flowers, the only other area I am involved in is Christmas decorations. I think it is the creation of paper floral arrangements that makes my work truly unique.
- Are bridal bouquets and arrangements a challenge?
- The search for combinations of colours and shapes is a technical and aesthetic challenge. To learn more about composition I took flower design courses from florists, using real flowers. It should be understood that my flowers are made of paper while at the same time retaining a natural quality.
- What paper do you use?
- Classic origami paper for some types of flowers, very light paper that holds the fold well, and not very heavy coloured cardboard. Finding paper with the right weight is an important part of the job, as is sourcing lots of shades of colours. I never use patterned origami paper as my flowers must have a natural look.
Lucia Curzio is a rising star: she began her career in 2017 and she started teaching in 2018
Where
Lucia Curzio
