Matt Shlian

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.” The patterns of his works are informed by microscopic natural forms and structures like cell membranes. 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 solo 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.