In an online community that has mostly become a springboard for memes and hugot lines, Shaphir Aleph Lizarondo did not expect his delicate paper art to stay afloat. It nevertheless did so by embracing the concept of its fragility.
Shaphir also known as the person behind “Paperspective”is an emerging paper-cutting artist from Baguio. His collection of intricate paper cuts depicting local and international endangered species has been shedding light on each creature’s intricate beauty— alongside its anticipated extinction.
Some of his artwork showcased in The Blanco Art Gallery’s Corte de Papel Exhibit in Rizal include depictions of the following endemic species:
Philippine Pangolin
https://www.facebook.com/paperspective/photos/pcb.1009592096052322/1009591946052337/?type=3&theater
The Sulu Hornbill:
https://www.facebook.com/paperspective/photos/pcb.1009592096052322/1009591879385677/?type=3&theater
The Hawks-bill Sea Turtle:
https://www.facebook.com/paperspective/photos/a.435112066833664/900624480282418/?type=3&theater
The paper artist apparently takes around 16 hours to craft a meticulous piece by hand. While he sketches out researched images of such animals, he incorporates his own Mandala design to define them as his own masterpieces.
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Though he has always been aware of the impact of climate change and has been attending events that help reduce its effects, he says that what prompted him to concretely raise awareness through art was an article about illegally traded exotic fish.
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From the pictures alone, you could tell that you have to be gentle when handling these fragile pieces—you might not even want to touch them for fear of accidentally crushing them in your hands. Needless to say, these creatures’ narratives being encapsulated through such a delicate medium could help people understand the plight of these species’ existence.
The artist also encourages people to use our ‘superior design’ as humans to protect these creatures from the destruction that our actions tend to bring about in line with climate change. “Dapat nating maisapuso na isa lang tayo sa milyon-milyong klase ng organismo na nakikitira dito sa mundo. Wala tayong karapatan na angkinin ito ng buong buo,” he explains. Like Shaphir, we could start small and go bigger from thereon by simply opting to patronize reusable bags or picking up a piece of trash lying around on the street.
[READ: Give greener living a go with The Nolisoli Sustainability Guide]
“Dapat nating maisapuso na isa lang tayo sa milyon-milyong klase ng organismo na nakikitira dito sa mundo. Wala tayong karapatan na angkinin ito ng buong buo,” he explains.
https://www.facebook.com/paperspective/photos/a.435112066833664/1009591806052351/?type=3&theater
The software engineer’s craft has indeed come a long way—from paper-cut art being just a hobby to now being the most compelling way of expressing his woes and advocacies to the world.
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Writer: JOY THERESE GOMEZ
