Julianna Szabo finds meaning in paper. Known for her intricate paper sets and illustrations, Szabo is constantly intrigued by the endless possibilities a piece of paper can present. Modifying this simple material, she enjoys the creative process in which an image, formed in the back of her mind, emerges seemingly out of nothing.
Born in Hungary and based in London, Szabo studied Visual Communication at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. That’s where she first showed interest in the graphic side of design, studying 3D animation, virtual reality, and multimedia. It was only after making her first paper sculpture that she realized her true calling in life: paper art.
Now a full-time paper artist, her work includes papercraft, animation, set and prop design, and art direction—all of which revolve around her fascination with paper: “My home is full of paper creations, every available space is occupied by something made of paper,” admitted Szabo in an interview with Arctic Paper.
Szabo explains that when starting a new project, she usually comes up with a number of ideas and makes some rough sketches. She then selects her favorite idea and further researches it until she has a final image formed in her head. According to Szabo, she usually prefers ideas that have some kind of twist in them, ones that catch the viewer’s attention and draws them in. The work itself includes a healthy amount of cutting and layering until an image finally emerges.
According to Szabo, the biggest reward is seeing people’s reactions to her work: “To see the sparkle in their eyes when they realize that my work is entirely made of paper, a material they are very familiar with,” she says.
Scroll down to see some highlights from her feed.
