Artists have been creating intricate and multidimensional works of art using paper and geometric patterns for a long time. African artists are redefining this age-old artistic medium by exploring geometric patterns, manipulating paper into shapes and patterns through different inventive cutting, layering and bending techniques to get folded forms and colossal installations.
Here are the contemporary African artists creating art using paper-cutting, geometry & pattern.
Shaheen Kasmani is an East African paper artist and designer. She works with patterns, prints, paintings, and paper. She draws inspiration from traditional sacred geometry and symmetry, stylised floral forms (also known as islimi, arabesque and biomorphic).
Since her first exhibition at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, London in 2014, her works have been featured in different galleries and museums including Birmingham Museum Art Gallery.
You can connect with her on Instagram at shaheen.kasmani.
Shaimaa Osman is a Dutch-born Sudanese-Egyptian artist. She is known for her creative exploration of maps, calligraphy and collage. Curious about Arabic calligraphy and traditional Islamic art, she began building her creative presence by dedicating her art to studying Islamic art and geometric patterns.
You can connect with her on Instagram at salamsanctuary.
Ayobola Kekere-Ekun, a Nigerian artist, creates her stunning forms out of a variety of materials, including fabric, ribbons, and paper strips. She uses these forms to depict concerns relating to gender, social institutions, and human connection.
Kekere-Ekun primarily employs the quilling process, which involves stripping and manipulating paper components to create textured, two-dimensional objects.
Her works have been featured in galleries like ABSA Gallery in Johannesburg; Rele Gallery, Los Angeles; Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles; Volery Gallery, Dubai and C + N Canepaneri, Milan in 2022.
You can connect with her on Instagram at ayobola.k.
- Owusu Ankomah
Owusu Ankomah is a Ghanaian artist known for his bold canvases and a combination of traditional Akan, adinkra symbols and patterns. His work focuses on themes relating to identity and heritage.
He has held a good number of solo exhibitions across Europe, Africa and the States. He has been featured in, ” at the National Museum of African Art, Washington in 2003 and “Africa Remix” in Johannesburg, 2004.
