In the bustling metropolis of New York City, amid the chaos and clamor, exists a realm of serene beauty meticulously crafted by the hands of Jaq Belcher. Australian-born Belcher is a distinguished artist whose chosen medium is as delicate as it is profound: hand-cut paper.
Belcher’s artistic journey began with a foundation in sculpture, honed during her studies at Melbourne University. However, upon relocating to the vibrant art scene of New York, she found solace and purpose in the simplicity of paper. This shift marked a pivotal moment in her career, as she embraced the intrinsic qualities of paper as a canvas for her exploration of energy, consciousness, light, and form.
Through her art, Belcher invites us to ponder the mysteries of existence, the interconnectedness of all things, and the eternal dance of energy and form.
At the heart of Belcher’s practice lies the meticulous process of hand-cutting paper with precision and grace. Armed with a paperknife and handmade stencils inspired by sacred geometry, particularly the vesica piscis – a specific mathematical shape formed by the intersection of two disks with the same radius – she delicately composes intricate fields and imagery on pristine sheets of archival white paper. Each cut is deliberate, each movement intentional, as Belcher imbues her creations with a palpable sense of energy and memory.
Stillness and focus are the foremost tenets of my studio practice, from which emerges a profound sense of calmness and serenity.
“Stillness and focus are the foremost tenets of my studio practice,” Belcher explains, “from which emerges a profound sense of calmness and serenity.” Indeed, her works exude a certain feeling of calmness that invites contemplation, drawing viewers into a meditative state where time seems to stand still.
One of Belcher’s most intriguing endeavors is her exploration of ephemeral installations using the “seeds” – the cut-off pieces of paper from her larger works. These seeds become the building blocks for intricate mandalas meticulously and patiently arranged, with each installation becoming a transient masterpiece destined to last only for the duration of a single exhibition. In a poignant performance, Belcher has collaborated with a dancer to create a poignant performance, in which the movement of dance sweeps away one such mandala, symbolizing the impermanence of art and the cyclical nature of creation.
In the hands of Jaq Belcher, paper seems to transcend its humble origins to become a vessel for something greater – a testament to the transformative power of art and the boundless potential of the human spirit, as well as the modest medium.
Images © Jaq Belcher