How to Make Paper Cutting Art

Jupi Das: I specialized in conservation as if this dying art needs to be preserved in many, many years later when we are gone.

YaKenda McGahee: And that’s what represents putting it inside there.

Jupi Das: Yeah, inside the frame and all the material I use that will preserve the work. I used all our guide and materials, the paper, the glass, the match and everything.

YaKenda McGahee: You’ve had some significant honors that have been bestowed upon you for this phenomenal work you're doing. I have to say it’s phenomenal. I can’t wait to show me how this works and how this unfolds but talk to me about a couple of those honors. I think there is a commission that you did. You were commissioned to do a piece and then you met the First Lady. So can you tell me about those two of that?

Jupi Das: I was invited from White House to represent Pennsylvania, to do a piece for White House Christmas Tree.

YaKenda McGahee: Oh that’s awesome, like the actual paper cutting, like a ball -- what is it did it hang on there?

Jupi Das: I created a three dimensional kind of piece because they need to hang it in an official in a blue room and Christmas tree.

YaKenda McGahee: That is really cool though. That’s a nice honor.

Jupi Das: Thank you, it was really --

YaKenda McGahee: The official Christmas tree.

Jupi Das: Official Christmas tree.

YaKenda McGahee: I love it. Jupi agreed to show us how wonderful pieces are created from scratch.

So you trace this, you put your design on here. Oh goodness, gracious this is going to really pretty.

Jupi starts with choosing a symmetrical pattern that could be folded into two equal halves. When the piece is cut, the designs are automatically replicated on both sides.

Jupi Das: So--

YaKenda McGahee: Beautiful.

Jupi Das: So here I have with my design.

YaKenda McGahee: Yes very beautiful, I love it.

Jupi Das: Thank you. Now I really cut it.

YaKenda McGahee: So now you get your cutter.