Lois Cordelia

"From intricate paper silhouettes, painstakingly cut by hand using a surgical scalpel, to fast and furiously painted portraits and landscapes in brilliant, dramatic colours, my artwork spans a vast spectrum between precision and free-flowing energy."

Interview with Lois Cordelia by Kirsten Irving of 'Sidekick Books':
http://fuselit.blogspot.com/2011/02/sidekick-books-artist-profile-lois.html



Above: Lois paints live in session during her exhibition of portraits, as part of "Deep Roots" reggae (Djolof Roots Sound) at the Camden Rock, London, 14th November 2010.
Photograph by Jane Bohannon. 2010.


Lois' box of magic tricks, also known as her paint palette! :-)


Lois Cordelia is an Ipswich based artist in cut-paper and mixed media, working in diverse styles, including silhouettes, portraits, and sculptures. Lois has exhibited widely in solo and joint shows at venues in the UK and Germany. Lois holds a first degree in Arabic from Edinburgh University and often explores the expressive potential of Arabic and other foreign scripts in her artwork.


Above: Lois demonstrates her paper-cutting technique. Debenham, Suffolk UK. July 2011.
Photograph by Chris Valentine. 2011.

Artist Statement - June 2009
At time of writing, I am focussing on silhouette art, hence the following
brief explanation of my technique, inspirations and motivations.

As a child, I watched my mother creating Scherenschnitte (literally: “scissor-cuts”) in the traditional methods of her German homeland. Since the sixteenth century, silhouette outlines have been cut from paper to create illustrations, decorative motifs, valentine gifts, and even household items such as curtains, often incorporating elements of symmetry and repeated patterns. I loved the stark minimalism and precision of the technique, which appealed to the perfectionist in me.

I prefer to use a scalpel, because I feel it gives more control in pushing back the limits of this folk-art tradition, while allowing also for extremely intricate perforation. A finished piece may consist of a spidery web of fine, interconnected paper strands, a little thicker than pencil lines.


The essentials of silhouette paper cutting: a sharp blade, a non-slip cutting mat, and good lighting.
Photograph by John Buelow-Osborne, June 2009


(Above) Holding up an unfinished silhouette paper-cut to show the freehand sketch on the reverse.

(Below) The same paper-cut is now shown in stark silhouetted shadow so that the sketch is no longer visible.





The technique has parallels with subtractive sculpture, in which pieces of the original material are gradually removed to “reveal” the image. The challenge of silhouette “sculpture” therefore lies in cutting a structure out of a single sheet of paper that must remain basically intact, despite its fragility. Equally, it should convey maximum expressive quality via minimal lines, to evoke the subtle gestures of a face, the dynamic tensions of drama, or the textures of a surface.

Sometimes, I allow parts of a design to break out of two dimensions into three, by folding or warping the paper, so that raised features and deep recesses add to the interplay of light and dark. I enjoy working in diverse styles, but always incorporating elements of fluidity, dance and energy. In order to balance the precise cut of the blade with a free flowing line, I often do a very loose sketch which I then proceed to cut out with the precision of a design.


Before and after cutting: a loose sketch becomes the basis for a precise cut-out design in reverse.
"Earth Kissed By A Raindrop"

I was born in Ipswich in 1982 and attended Northgate High School, where my A-level Art teacher Mr Emery was a great inspiration, constantly challenging me with new ideas. I have also spent long periods working in London with artist and illustrator Jan Pienkowski, whose books for children often feature silhouettes.

Between the years 2002-2006, I studied Arabic at Edinburgh University. This apparently unrelated choice of degree subject holds a deep fascination for me because of the flowing lines of the script. I also relished the challenge of learning a complex and beautiful language, with the opportunity to visit parts of the Middle East.



Since graduating, I have renewed my focus on the visual arts by exhibiting in a series of solo and joint shows in Edinburgh, Ipswich, Milton Keynes and Nottingham. In addition to silhouette art, these have featured a wide variety of media and styles, including portraits in acrylics and pastels, wildlife art, still-lifes, T-shirt designs, and sculpture. I am currently focussing on silhouette art and look forward to presenting further exhibitions with the aim of bringing this obscure art form to a wider audience.


Loïs Cordelia Bülow-Osborne, June 2009




Performing a live demonstration of the silhouette cutting process. July 2008. Photograph by Erika Buelow-Osborne




Standing beside a couple of my silhouettes strung up on a line to let the light shine through. July 2008.




Cutting out the middle layer of a three dimensional silhouette, using a scalpel. The finished piece can be viewed here. Summer 2007. Photograph by Erika Buelow-Osborne.


Sketching on location at the Temple Church, London, October 2006. Photograph by Mukul Kumar



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