Pippa Dyrlaga

Paper cutter

Tearing away from tradition

Pippa uses single sheet paper to make her pieces in 2D or 3D
She also works with other media forms on certain commissioned projects
She exhibits her works, holds workshops for students, and collaborates on fundraising projects

Pippa Dyrlaga is a paper-cutting artist living and working in Yorkshire, in England. She has an MA in Art and Design from Leeds Metropolitan University and began specialising in paper cutting in 2010. Over the years, she has since exhibited in England and France, as well as India, and North America, among other places. Pippa’s work is deeply rooted in nature and the connection that we, as humans, feel to it. Combining animal and plant motifs in recognisable patterns, her work also contains many Art Deco-inspired patterns. Folkloric and mythic themes also frequently appear in her work in various symbolic forms. Pippa works in 2D and 3D, applying her creativity to many different paper types. Her techniques range from minuscule and detailed hand-cut pieces to large-scale 3D laser-cut exhibition pieces.

Interview

What type of paper is your favourite?: I work in 2D and 3D, and that requires different paper types. The papers’ properties become part of the artwork through tearing, sewing, and playing with their strength. My favourite is washi paper, which is delicate but strong. I also use Paptic, an innovative paper made to replace plastic. It has synthetic-like qualities but is made from natural materials.
How much time do you spend sketching?: I rarely do preparatory sketches. The process is important. I will start with an idea and let it grow from that point. I work in sections, drawing in and correcting as I go. Most of the time, the work I have in my mind when I start looks nothing like the finished piece.
Do you enjoy working on collaboration projects for book covers and films?: Commercial work allows me to work in ways I would not have thought of, bringing new subjects to life in my own style. This informs my artwork and the way I think about what I am creating for myself. It has given me a real push to expand into 3D work and include different subject matters.
What is the most challenging work you have made?: I was asked to create a piece for an exhibition that dealt with the economic aspect of the war in Ukraine and the migration of refugees. It was challenging to do the subject matter justice and work on a large scale for the first time. This made me braver and bolder in my choices in my work going forward.

Pippa Dyrlaga is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2010