THE NEGATIVE SPACE {2023}

The tradition of paper cutting is native to many cultures around the world, however it usually varies in the techniques used and captures different topics. In Poland, this form of folklore craft is called Wycinanki [Vytynanky] and started in 1850s thanks to the industrialisation of paper. Traditionally crafted by rural artists and common folk, Wycinanki served as a communal form of relaxation, depicting both abstract and figurative subjects such as animals, plants, notable figures, events, and memories. The intricate shapes, revealed by cutting specific patterns into folded paper, capture the creative energy emanating from the artist’s mind—a beautiful tradition of expressing emotions through the art of negative space. In my exploration of workspaces, I’ve focused on defining the mental space necessary for uninterrupted focus and productivity. The transformation of household textiles into cut-out artworks becomes an act of releasing anxieties and worries, channeling creative energy into an intimate, personal medium. It’s an artistic process that involves creation through the deliberate act of removal.