Artwork > Tissue Series

Midsagittal Female
mulberry paper
31 x 8 x 18 1/2 inches
2013
Coronal Man
mulberry paper
25 x 20 1/2 x 6 3/4 inches
2013
Angelico
mulberry paper
19 x 22 x 1 1/2 inches
2012
quilled paper head and torso
mulberry paper
9 x 13 x 1 inches
2010
Visage
mulberry paper
16 x 6 1/2 x 16 1/4 inches
2013
Canis lupus familiaris
mulberry paper
2012
Shoulders
mulberry paper
22 3/4 x 12 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
2013
Female Thorax
mulberry paper
24 1/2 x 15 x 1 1/2 inches
2013
Thorax
mulberry paper
21 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
2011
Head 1
paper
11 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
2011
Transverse Head-Tongue
14 x 11 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
2013
Head II
paper
10 x 12 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
2011
Cranium II
mulberry paper
9.75 x 11.5 x 1.5 inches
2012
Abdomen
paper
15 x 12 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
2011
Male Pelvis
mulberry paper
23 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches
2012
Praying Hands
paper
2012
Shoulders
paper
12 1/2 x 6 x 1 inches
2010
Male Torso
paper
15 x 11 x 1 inches
2010
Female Torso
paper
9 x 10 x 3/4 inches
2010

Anatomical Cross-Sections in Paper

These pieces are made of Japanese mulberry paper and the gilded edges of old books. They are constructed by a technique of rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper called quilling or paper filigree. Quilling was first practiced by Renaissance nuns and monks who are said to have made artistic use of the gilded edges of worn out bibles, and later by 18th century ladies who made artistic use of lots of free time. I find quilling exquisitely satisfying for rendering the densely squished and lovely internal landscape of the human body in cross section.

I have included a selection of detail images.






Photography by John Polak