Matt Shlian
Matt Shlian is a paper sculptor and draftsman who has exhibited extensively across the United States and internationally in Canada, France, the Netherlands, and United Arab Emirates. He remains represented by 10 galleries which include Duran Mashaal in Montreal, Dimmitt Contemporary in Houston, Method and Concept in Naples, Turner Carroll Gallery in Santa Fe, Tamarind Institute in Albuquerque, Heather Gaudio Fine Art in Greenwich, Paradigm Arts in Philadelphia, Galerie Goutal in Aix-en-Provence, France, Freeman Gallery in Sydney, and Kostuik in Vancouver. Publications include Paper Art III by Shenzhen Artpower Culture Development Co, Unfolding Monograph by Thames & Hudson, and a book feature in The Paperists printed by Sandu Publishing.
These fragile paper sculptures and drawings on paper reveal a subtle character to three-dimensional relief form. While Matt’s drawings may resemble topographical maps, his signature sculptures represent symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns, typically in the shapes of small jagged thorn and pyramid-shaped forms. These elements are intricately folded and pieced together from colored paper to create holistic relief compositions which represent a grand mathematical layout.
With bold geometry and subtle variation of tone, these paper forms cast shadows upon themselves as they protrude horizontally away from the surface and towards the viewer. Paper as a choice of medium remains a conscious choice for Matt as he indicates the material is practical in application as an easily available, economical, and non-precious matter. The sculptures bend light, not through illusions or luminosity, but through the protruding matte shapes which strive towards the audience and cast shadows upon itself. Intricate and nuanced, these jagged shapes are composed in various manners which can range from confrontational to harmonious and elegant, depending on the shape, layout, and direction of the relief composition.
12 Morning Glory Lane (pictured above) remains the only drawing contained with the article as the rest of the photos contain Matt’s paper sculptures. The drawing, executed with a ballpoint pen and midsized, appears similar to a topographical map or even a digital three-dimensional model taken from a satellite. The careful asymmetrical grid bends and contorts to give way to rising forms of peaks similar to mountains. With an aesthetically pleasing turquoise-green monochromatic application, the choice of color gives the piece a naturalistic appearance as opposed to being mechanical and dry.
Matt Shlian explores the realm and challenges the limitations of paper engineering with dynamic relief layouts which harmoniously, through mostly neutral color, imitate the invisible world of mathematics. His works, while refined and intricate, also convey a sense of purification of protruding compositions. Matt lays out a vision which breaks down abstraction and relief sculpture into fragile structures which provoke or enhance varying emotions, depending on the overall direction of his pyramid and thorn-like forms and the personal interpretation of the viewer.
