Japanese Chigir-e Art

No paint, no scissors, just newspaper…

 

Noriko Matsubara with her chigiri-e
Chigiri-e is a traditional Japanese art form in which pictures are created from hand-torn Japanese paper called washi. Instead of traditional washi I use newspaper, which adds a contemporary dimension to the work and creates a unique contrast between subject (they are often inspired by the natural world) and materials.  
 
My process begins with finding different colours and patterns on newspaper. Then I tear and glue the newspaper pieces onto paper. Every single piece on my chigiri-e is from newspaper, with no added colours and no use of scissors. I like tearing paper instead of cutting as it gives the picture soft edges thus warm feeling.
 

Interested in my chigiri-e workshop? Find out here.

Would you like to commission your own Chigiri-e? Find out here.

You can buy my Chigiri-e Prints and Chigiri-e Greeting Cards on my online shop.

VIDEOS: Making Process