May 2013

Intergrowth

Cut paper elegantly balances simplicity and complexity: simple because an artwork may consist of only one sheet of paper, complex because the artist can transform that sheet into a design as fine as lace. When put to rice paper, the hand-held blade creates a crisp, controlled, yet gestural line.

Like Jewish, Mexican, and Chinese paper-cutting, these pieces relate to celebration. The banner format, reference to cross-cultural holidays, and inclusion of romantic poetry all suggest special occasions and rituals. Images from nature serve as symbols of these traditions, while suggesting the organic way in which cultures grow and merge.
Born and raised near Milwaukee, WI, Melanie Kehoss received an MFA in printmaking from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007 and a BA in studio art from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI in 2002. She has lived and practiced art throughout Wisconsin, Southern California, and the DC metro area. Her observations of life in these diverse regions inspire her artwork, which explores every-day rituals and the influences that continually form and re-form culture in the United States. Kehoss is now a lecturer at Georgetown University and instructor at Arlington Art Center.

To view more of Kehoss’ work, visit www.kehoss.com.