Layla Arthur

I have just graduated from Minerva Art Academy, the Netherlands with a project made entirely from hand cut paper. The entire project took approximately 1,121 hours to complete, (only the cutting time) and works with lighting to create intricate shadow projections.

With my work, I create an otherworldly storytelling experience, where the viewer steps into the story world and becomes lost in the intricate details. I encourage the viewer to re-invent my narratives, finding connections with tales familiar to them and merging their stories with mine. The journey through the paper world becomes one of discovery, as if you are in your own story and seeking out a fantastical adventure.

I challenged myself with this project to create a world of paper which was completely hand crafted. I wanted with the work to emphasise how powerful it can be to be surrounded by a work of art where you can image how long every single detail took to create.

Instagram: @laylamayarthurpaperstudio

Where would you like your work to take you?

Right now, my art is very theatre and installation based. I am really hoping to continue in this line by making experiences with lighting and space but curate this more in the direction of commercial design. I want to create work for shop window display, pop up events and photoshoot set design

Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?

I LOVE cutting the paper. I really enjoy seeing the image appear from a solid white piece of paper as I cut out sections and carve in textures.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I normally work with storytelling in my work, so I imagine imagery from the stories and then cut it out. The story lines are often pre-existing but all the imagery I construct myself.

What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?

Music is a hard one... I always listen to audiobooks of stories while i work! But is would say instrumental music, maybe something along the lines of Hans Zimmer but created specifically for my imagery?

Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?

I love the work of Polly Sonic and Anais Herd Smith