Happenings
/ MAKING A SPLASH /
Polly Verity Watercolor paper moves beyond its obvious use in the skillful hands of sculptor Polly Verity, whose delicate paper forms don’t have an ounce of added pigment. It’s light and shadow that describe her portraits as the twists and folds combine, the final product often presenting as intimate and sensual. “I’ve folded geometric designs into paper for the past 15 years,” says Verity. “I’m drawn to the limitations of manipulating a sheet of paper without cutting and to the quality of the paper itself—the intriguing mathematics of a curved fold and watching the resulting improbable topology appear before my eyes. The figurative realm is a new departure for me, and the wet-folding technique is new to me too—luscious for its immediacy, instantaneous form and quick result.” The artist uses Arches watercolor paper for its craftsmanship and quality, but also because it has added gelatin, which allows her to work the paper when it’s wet. Once it has dried, the gelatin sets, creating a stiff permanency. “I begin by folding a simple curve into the dampened sheet of paper,” she explains. “As I work, suggestions of form open up to me and I coax these hints further into being by shaping, using my hands.” The resulting composition might show a couple kissing, a figure smoking or a mouth opening, as if to speak. In recognition of this power to speak, the artist has used her art as a way to voice support for the recent protest movements against racial injustice. “I wanted to do something,” she says. “My social media feed suddenly
seemed so white.” Her response was to introduce new shades of paper into her work. Her sculptures in shades of black and brown have been well received, and Verity plans to donate half the proceeds to a organization involved with the movement.” As for the future, the artist says she’s open to her meditative process as it typically guides her way. “Most of the time,” she says, “I’m an observer.” (polyscene.com)
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Paper Kiss (wet-folded watercolor paper) Person With Straw (wet-folded watercolor paper) Paper Portrait (wet-folded drawing paper)
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