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The departing point for this print is the making of papel picado, a traditional Mexican craft made by punching intricate designs on colourful tissue paper that often incorporate text, grids, and skeletons. Papel picado is fragile and meant to be ephemeral since it is used as decoration for festivals, street fairs, and religious and family celebrations. While this laser cut print is still fragile, the traditional tissue paper has been replaced with handmade Lokta paper, which has a similar appearance, but is thicker and more durable. The print transitions from ink to papel picado (laser cut), from English to Spanish, from Mexico City to Vancouver. As they are punching the paper, the artist/artisan’s hands are shaping their home and becoming part of the papel picado.

Ink on laser-cut Lokta paper, 11 x 14 inches. This print is part of the Preface Portfolio. It was made at the Media Maker Space and the Dick Kouwenhoven Book Arts Studio at the WAC Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC).