I am a Maryland-based paper artist, and an industrial engineer-gone-rogue, obsessed with turning plain white cardstock sheets and discarded cardboard boxes into colossal, unimaginable paper flowers. I cut and paint each petal by hand, then I assemble these slivers into larger-than-life paper installations and fashionable bonnets for clients. This 9-foot bloom and 2.6-foot floral bonnet is a personal project which took me over 60 hours to complete.
My goal is always to create something unique that sparks joy. Now more than ever, in the midst of the pandemic, racial tensions and political anxieties, I needed to take a break to celebrate self-love and creativity. Special thanks to my collaborators! My friend, our "flower child", exudes black-girl-magic, and her fiance, photographer SubitoShots, does a fantastic job of capturing her and the vibrant details.
Paper Artist: Kirby-Jay Conyette (me)
Model: Beatrice Bangura
Photographer: SubitoShots (Brandon Pierce)
Location: Rawlings Conservatory, Baltimore, Maryland
More info: kirbyjc.com
