A Chat with Beatrice Coron: Michelangelo of Paper Cutting

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Live from New York

For this month's inspiring speaker chat, we invite you for a conversation with Beatrice Coron, an internationally renowned artist and creator of spectacular papercut artworks, to chat about her intrepid life and work. She has been, among others, a shepherdess, truck driver, factory worker, cleaning lady and a New York City tour guide before reinventing herself as an artist with works in the Metropolitan Museum, the Getty and the Walker. New Yorkers will recognize seeing her public art in New York subways and others may recognize her cover art for Dave Matthews album "Come Tomorrow".

On Saturday 27th February, we'll hear about Beatrice's life as an explorer which is evident in the wonder and intricacy of her pieces. She moves through paper like she has moved through the world; carving multitudes of fantastical tales out of negative space. Her work spans multiple areas, often transferring her papercut designs into mediums like metal and glass. This is the second of our new monthly series - featuring conversations that inspire us to live bravely, aligned with our purpose and passions, and deep human connection.

If you are not in EST time zone, be sure to convert the time.

This is a free event, but your donations to Beatrice's chosen charity Center for Book Arts  will help to support artists and uplift the book arts by providing opportunities for artists, writers, curators and scholars through residencies, fellowships, publishing, and collecting. 


What to expect

  • Beatrice's curiosity-filled life journey from France to Egypt, Mexico, China, and the United States.
  • Reinventing from shepherdess, truck driver, factory worker, tour guide to an artist at age 40.
  • A look at her 2D & 3D stories cut in paper, creative process and the language of silhouette.
  • Learn about her philosophy on action and fear to live a "transformational" life.
  • Finding inspiration in little annoyances of everyday life.


How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. We'll send link and details to join via email 1 day and again 30 mins before it begins.


About Beatrice

A native to France, Beatrice reinvented herself as an artist in New York 1985, after extensive traveling and many odd jobs. Her work explores visual storytelling through the technique of papercutting, drawing with a blade to create empty and full shapes that cast shadows. She often translates her bold and elegant hand-cut designs to metal, glass or stone to create public art. Bridging the gap between old tradition and new technology, Beatrice pioneers a striking new medium, that catches the eye and has transformed subways, schools and airports. Her work can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Getty and the Walker Art Center. 

Read more: Beatrice Coron Lets Curiosity and Creative Intuition Take the Lead

Watch: TED Talk “Stories Cut From Paper”


All photos: Courtesy of the artist