|
|
 |
FLATDOLL
This site is devoted to two-dimensional figures arranged on flat pages.
The starting point is the paper doll.
PAPER DOLLS
Paper dolls began in the 1700's as amusements for rich people. After the late 1890's, they were published as toys for the masses. They peaked during the mid-20th century, when they were illustrated by top artists and sold in corner drugstores. The rise of the inexpensive fashion doll signaled the paper doll's decline. Old sets are now historical documents. Contemporary artists have revived and expanded the paper doll art form.
GO TO DOLLS
|
|
|
|
DOLL SETS
"Day of the Dead Paper Dolls" was published by Dover Publications in 2009. It is devoted to the annual Mexican holiday where the deceased are welcomed back to the world of the living. The set was also spun into "Day of the Dead Sticker Book" and a set of post cards.
"Voodoo Paper Dolls" was released by Dover Publications in January 2011, followed by "Twisted Fairy Tales Paper Dolls" in December 2011.
Paper dolls in more recent years have varied widely in topic and style.
"Decked Out" is a set of playing cards. "Pangea" is about global mix and match. "Paperwear" was made simply by folding and cutting art paper. Other sets were inspired by Hawaii, the red carpet, the comics, beatnik stereotypes, and shopping for clothes.
Isabelle and Chloe are would-be glamour icons still trapped in youthful confusion. Since their start in 1998, they have evolved from stumpy pretty girls to streamlined women. This site presents episodes from their saga.
Waters of the Moon is based on a series of novels, written by Gregory Urbach, about adventure and romance in future history.
Split Level is about an asian-american woman who takes decades to transcend the constraints of her heritage. In Protoplasmia, a trio of rescuers infiltrates a kingdom of many lifeforms ruled by a capricious queen. Protoplasmia's offshoot, The Five Fairy Group, combines fantasy with poetic prose. MOD POP is 1960's boutique nostalgia with word and image play. Fortune Cookie Wall is set outside a store operated by the multifaceted Elaine Ching.
The flattest of the dolls, from "Oh My--INOUTDOWNUP" (title page) are stylized logo manipulations turned archetypes.
GO TO PAPER DOLLS
|
|
ARTIST
Kwei-lin Lum became an artist in 2000 after a lifetime of casually making visual projects. Her paper doll sets are unique design challenges and employ a variety of styles and media. Her art and life have been multifaceted. In college she studied plant biodiversity, an outgrowth of a childhood fascination with species. She retired in 2011 after many rewarding years on the frontlines at the Social Security Administration. Born in Honolulu, she lives in California with her husband, Gregory Urbach.
|
| |
|
|
COMPUTER DRAWING
Many of the drawings were made on a home computer using Coreldraw7. This vector software works well for those who like lines, color, symbols, and flat decoration. It is precise and detailed and allows for unlimited imagination.
GO TO PAPER DOLLS
|
|
