Passages is a series of hand-cut paper realms created by artist Bianca Levan that explore multiple ways in which one can experience the process of transition - specifically on the liminal, sustained experience of being in flux.

 

Working within the confines of black paper, she delicately navigates the complexities of positive and negative space. Each piece begins as a scene inspired by an internal inquiry and often includes natural and human-borne elements as well as the unexpected. Once completed, the paper is placed between two panes of glass inside a shadowbox frame, resulting in a work of art that inhabits both two and three-dimensions. The detail and scale of each piece invites viewers to explore and create their own interpretations.

 

Papercutting is a method of emotional processing for Bianca. The journey to create a piece is a voyage through a psychological landscape. Her cuttings generally originate from an idea she’s exploring, an internal debate, or an observation about lived experiences. Since the body carries emotional experiences, both past and present, she is able to connect the feelings to thoughts through the physicality of papercutting.