Unholy 238

Matt Shlian creates mesmerizing paper sculptures by merging intricate hand-folding techniques with digital mapping. Working at the intersection of art and science, Shlian describes himself as a “paper engineer”. Microscopic natural forms and structures like cell membranes inform the patterns of his works.

Matt originally went to school for ceramics but realized early on he was interested in other mediums as well. He received his MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2006, the same year he began collaborating with engineers at the University of Michigan to explore the links between origami and 3D nanotechnology.

Shlian has extensively exhibited work across the United States, and he has presented a major show at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington in 2016. His paper compositions are held in collections that include the Art Institute of Chicago and the Drawing Center, and he has received commissions by brands as varied as Apple, Facebook, Supreme, and Sesame Street.