The First Cut Paper-cutting Exhibition Manchester City Art Gallery
I feel very lucky living near to Manchester as there is a superb exhibition on at Manchester City Art Gallery and it’s all free ! It’s an amazing collection of pieces from the work of 31 international artists who work predominantly with paper. This quilt map by Susan Stockwell was hanging in the stairway.
A sculpted tree cut from a Burger King Bag by Yuken Teruya and two quite different figures from Peter Callesen, start to illustrate the range of pieces in the exhibition.
Whether they appear in the form of large, flat, detailed, paper cuts from familiar paper artist Rob Ryan or story cuts from Beatrice Coron.
Moving, working models by Laura Cooperman or multi layered theatrical sets by Andrea Dezso, they are all beautifully crafted and delicately constructed.
Sarah Bridgland displayed two busy 3-D pieces, there was an amazing carved figure from a whole series of volumes stuck together, rather like a cross between a bookish hammock and totem pole, and a beautifully lit Wuthering Heights by Su Blackwell.
A cemetery set from Anderson M Studio and a victorian dress by Eisabeth Lecourt . Maps seemed to be popular !
But I did love the feel and movement to this ‘mapped’ flock of birds by Claire Brewster.
There was a circular collection of found objects on pins from Chris Kenny and a robust looking motorbike, entitled “Upon The End Of Your Ferel Days” by Chris Jones.
Nicola Dale made us look at nature and thoughts of recycling and collecting with her specially commissioned piece ‘Sequel’
Here’s a few of the artists talking about their working styles. I must say that I was pretty amazed that my paper cutting friend Sarah Morpeth wasn’t included in this exhibition. I somehow think the organisers missed out there.
You may also be interested to know that there is another section to ‘The First Cut’ exhibition over in Rusholm, at the Manchester Gallery of Costume. Both well worth a visit, and the show is on until the 27th of January 2013 so plenty of time to see it.
fishinkblog.com 
Wow! Nice work. x
Thanks Elaine, One to take the girls to if you’re ever over this way.
Love the map dress!
But a little creepy somehow too lol
Wow – I would love to be able to see that. Looks amazing !
I guess Philadelphia is a little far away for an exhibition stop over lol. Glad I could show you what it was like. There’s some great paper cutting links on the right hand side of my blog if you’re interested in seeing more. Thanks for the comment Abby.
I love all of this work!! What a great gallery. II encourage you to take a look at Colette Fu’s pop up art. Really amazing and would fit beautifully with your gallery. http://www.colettefu.com
Hi Zia, Many thanks for your comment and recommendation for Colette’s site. Some lovely and inspirational pieces there too. Isn’t it great to share lol
What a lovely exhibition, so much clever stuff on show. Wish I could get to Manchester to see it. Thank you for sharing and well done everyone,love the map dress!
Thanks for your thoughts Penny, I must get to the second part of the exhibition too. More to come lol So glad you liked it.
Just found the art of paper for the first time – where can I go and see it now?
Heike
Sorry Heike that was quite a long time ago, and the exhibition finished here at the end of January this year. You could check out and contact some of the artists who appeared in it from the links on the right of my blog and see where they are presently exhibiting. That’s the best I can offer. Good luck.