Klein’s figurative creatures born of unusual artform

DECADES worth of Deborah Lee Klein’s dimensional paper illustrations are on display virtually, and for sale, via Gallery on Sturt.

The figurative, low relief designs depicting animals – like birds – insects, and people are “heirlooms for the future,” enclosed in shadowbox frames, created with standard, acid-free art papers.

“I emboss, fold, bend, shape and then layer, in order to give the effect of a 3D form, within the interests of relief I have within the images,” she said.

“I work figuratively, or realistically, but I also abstract the figure to a small degree so that I can get a sense of the character of the subject I’m hoping to capture in the paper.”

Viewers will see some of Klein’s favourite works in the exhibition, including Beneath the Surface; a signature piece of an octopus in a rockpool.

“I love the sinuous forms of the arms, and the play between the opaque papers and the translucent papers in terms of fluidity.

“Similarly, with Praying Mantis Pair, they have quite an abstracted, very angular background, but they themselves are quite spiky and angular, so it was a lot of fun to capture that,” she said.

“They’re tiny little things, but they have this great show and sense of menace between themselves.”

Klein said her illustrative art form is an old one, but she, and others working in a similar way have always had to pioneer their makers’ processes.

“There isn’t a how-to. There isn’t a place to learn how to do this. It’s something we invent and create as we go along.

“Drawing is at the foundation of what I do, using photographic reference and live drawings of my subjects. I draw and draw, plan and design until I get a layout and representation of that particular creature that I’m happy with, and can see will translate to paper,” she said.

“This show is an opportunity for people to have a look at the work that I do, which is unusual, and some of my favourite subjects.”

As a student in the mid-80s, a textile printing background – and kimono silk – inspired Klein to play around with paper, experimenting with design replication. It was “love at first sight.”

“It’s a gorgeous, fibrous material, not infinitely malleable, but by wetting it and forming it, I’ve found ways to push those boundaries a bit.

“When I found paper illustration, I found a safe and benign material to use. I’m not hanging over solvents, it’s just water-soluble glue and cardboard,” she said.

Visit accentframing.com.au/exhibition/deborah-lee-klein-dimensional-design-illustrations to view her pieces or peek through the window at 421 Sturt Street.

Klein will take commissions.