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Cutting paper or cardboard with a pair of scissors is one of the most enjoyable manual activities when we are children. It also encourages concentration, co-ordination and creativity. For some, this skill broadens over time and becomes not just a hobby, but a passion, even a profession. This is the case of Asya Kozina, a Ukranian artist known for her incredible work making garments that call back to historical periods such as the Baroque era, using white paper.
The freedom of the blank page
Born in 1984, the daughter of a print designer and a fine arts teacher with her own studio, she has breathed art for as long as she can remember. She actually dreamt of becoming a dancer, but a kneecap injury ended this pursuit. Kozina spent a lot of time in bed, and it was there that she began to practise the technique of symmetrical paper cutting, spurred on by her mother.
After studying decorative arts at Cherkasy National University in her home country, she experimented with various craft techniques, from painting to wood carving to marquetry. However, she ended up opting for papercraft because of the sense of creative freedom that a blank sheet of paper offered her. In 2007 her first exhibition, “A Passion for White”, was opened, consisting of 23 miniature sculptures (25-30 centimetres in size), and since then, she has not stopped creating.
Baroque and punk-style wigs
The hallmark of the Ukrainian artist is her sophisticated baroque wigs, which have always fascinated her because, while they lack any practical sense, are aesthetically exquisite. Hers are made from numerous folds and spirals, emulating court hairstyles, and crowned with motifs ranging from aeroplanes to flowers, musical instruments and entire palaces.
Her project “Mysterious Flying Dutchman” transports us to the sea, with fleets of ships that sail through the waves of the headdresses, together with floral elements.
And while her works are inspired by the past, they are often blended with the present, as seen in her punk-style headdresses.
Wedding suits and dresses from world cultures
In addition to wigs and headdresses, Kozina’s paper artworks include masks and costumes inspired by Mongolian culture.
Her research into centuries-old symbols has also led her to design traditional wedding dresses from different cultures around the world for a lingerie brand.
The fashion house has turned to the Ukrainian artist for photo shoots for its new collections, such as one featuring paper horse sculptures inspired by the Italian sculptor Donatello.
Unique and inimitable pieces
It is difficult to imagine how such a delicate material could become the basis of Kozina’s creations. All her projects begin with sketches of ideas, in which her husband Dmitriy Kozin also collaborates. They continue with intensive research: reading books, studying images and even visiting museums.
Every piece is handmade, meaning they are unique and cannot be replicated. This is due to the artist’s stance against the duplication of images created with the help of the digital tools of modern visual culture.