Layers of Meaning

Ida Pearle - Patterns and Paper

In art quilts, we are often working with planes of pattern and trying to form textures to our experiences and visions. Cut paper collages by Ida Pearle follow a similar path of vision:
"Each collage, cut and glued by hand is primarily composed of Coloraid, a silk-screened artist's paper. Other specialty papers, collected from many different sources, are used to add accents of pattern and texture to the collages. For example, Origami paper is used for clothing and other forms which require patterns. Other papers used, include construction paper, craft paper, wrapping paper, tissue paper, wallpaper, and decorative paper. Materials like string, ribbon, and cloth lend the pieces even greater dimension and texture. Before the cutting begins each collage requires extensive planning and sketching."

Papercutting allows more intricate shapes than the stitched edge would typically permit, hence there is a level of intricacy and detail in the collages not typically found in fiber art. The compositions and use of the picture plane are similar to what fiber artists are working with. A perusal through Pearle's gallery is time well spent. Be sure to click on the individual images. The thumbnail images at the gallery level are often smaller parts of a large composition.