Where paper techniques abound
- Juan Ángel's first works were jewellery with origami figures
- Patience is the most significant aspect of his craft
- Designing a piece is a meticulously long process
Juan Ángel Cantalapiedra has been folding paper for as long as he can remember. Before becoming a professional paper artist he spent a significant amount of time making origami figures. Paper is a versatile yet humble material, allowing him to express his creativity. He likes to define himself as a “worker who uses hands or a scalpel to bring paper to life.” Juan Ángel masters the techniques of origami and kirigami, and has different sources of inspiration such as the work of origami artists and literature, and urban landscapes and cinema for his kirigami creations. His production includes a variety of objects, from jewellery to sculptures, bookmarks or paintings.
INTERVIEW
I learned the basics of origami from my mother, however I am self-taught in most of the work I do, thanks to and through my own investigation. I discovered kirigami on the internet and I have been researching and developing it with my own themes.
The majority of the origami figures I make are traditional ones. But several of my kirigami works represent emblematic buildings of Valladolid. I try to use paper from local artisan workshops and I take part in craft fairs in Castilla and León.
Something well made needs to have a soul; it is not easy to explain and express what this means. There are finished works that are technically good, but if the final result does not appeal to you it means they lack an inner life. There has to be a feeling of emotion when you look at them, that is what well made means to me.
When I make a figure for children and I see the smiles on their faces. What I love most is that thanks to a piece of paper, ten folds and very little time you can surprise and make a child happy. I like to think that, maybe, as adults, they will still be able to remember that moment.
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