Janelle Washington is a self-taught paper cut artist from Virginia. She graduated from VCU with a BFA in Fashion Design and afterward found interest in papercutting. Her artwork explores themes of history, identity, and beauty in African American culture.

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Through the simplicity of paper, Janelle creates images that showcase African American's courage, achievements, and grace in difficult situations. Paper reminds her of her ancestors, how through unpretentious beginnings a transformation can take place creating something extremely extraordinary. Through the use of positive and negative spaces, she creates patterns, symbols, and silhouettes that work simultaneously to construct a multifaceted design.

All of her papercuts and silhouettes are cut using an Exacto knife and one sheet of paper. Janelle's paper cuts retell a story of the past to current and future generations by adding a present-day perspective of empowerment and reflection.

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Member of the Guild of American Papercutters

Press & News

Women You Should Know interview: read more

SuperSelected: read more

Downing-Gross: read more

Art Impact: read more

Publick Playhouse: read more

American Craft Council: read more

ArtCentron: read more

Ikouii: read more

Paper Cut Artist around the World: read more

Aphrochic: read more

Artist Curriculum Vitae: read more

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