Easter is coming up and to end March’s paper-based collage theme, I’m featuring wycinanki instead of focussing on a specific artist for this Coloricombo prompt.
So who or what is wycinanki? Pronounced vee-chee-non-kee and roughly translated as ‘paper cut design’, wycinanki is an incredibly intricate form of paper cutting that’s such a part of Poland’s cultural heritage that it’s even been recognised by UNESCO
Originating in the the fourth century in China, paper cutting as a hobby or art form made its way westwards and became popular in Poland around around the middle of the 1800s. Patterns in bright, sometimes multicoloured paper started appearing in peasants’ homes, maybe smaller versions of traditional patterns that been previously made by shepherds in bark or leather with sheep shears. These would have been a different scale, used to decorate furniture or as large and heavy hanging pieces in windows, walls and from ceiling joints.
There are different types of wycinanki based on the various regions of Poland, each reflecting the customs and traditions of that locale. In the Kurpie region, floral motifs flourish in limited palettes while in Łowicz, intricate patterns dazzle with their vibrant hues multicoloured papers.
The most common designs are trees and flowers or birds and animals reflecting the Easter themes of renewal. Roosters symbolise prosperity and protection, while flowers represent beauty and the bounty of nature. Peacocks evoke notions of wealth and abundance. Other designs are more geometric: circles, stars, arrowheads and snowflakes.
Techniques used for wycinanki include cutting, clipping, punching, tearing, and carving of paper, as well as nalepianki in which multiple layers are glued together. Traditionally done for relaxation in rural Poland, the techniques were passed down through generations, with new themes and ideas developing as the paper cuttings became more detailed and intricate.
Read more about this artform here, here or here.
“Kurpie”, from a commissioned series of Poland posters, Ryszard Kaja, 2015
Colour Combination
The colours for this week’s prompt are Maroon, Sand, Parchment and Coal Black. Use the #coloricombo colours along with any neutral light and dark colour if you wish to create an artwork in any medium and style.
Coloricombo prompts are released once a week on a Monday, and this year I also link each month with a theme. March’s theme is "Collage". If you like you can use this as topic, or create in any way as you wish, using the colours in any medium and style.
I'd love to see what you do with the coloricombo colours. If you'd like to share your work, please tag #coloricombo and #estemacleod on social media. You're also welcome to post in the private Facebook group Creative Prompts
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Demos
I’ll be sending out a colour mixing and paper cutting demonstration to all paid subscribers in the coming days.