Drawing from mathematics, architectural pattern, and natural systems, the Vaults series bridges the languages of art and science. The works reference natural phenomena such as shells, whirlpools, and growth patterns without literal depiction. Precision becomes a pathway to wonder as the viewer discovers the complexity hidden within a simple sheet of paper.
With Vaults, Matt Shlian expands the sculptural and perceptual possibilities of paper by transforming a humble material into a site of architectural precision, optical complexity, and meditative focus. Each wall mounted vessel is cut, scored, folded, and assembled entirely by hand. The resulting objects reveal Shlian’s dialogue with material structure and his sensitivity to the ways light, color, and geometry interact.
Although firmly rooted in contemporary practice, Shlian’s approach recalls traditions of craft and engineering. The vessels are shaped through principles of origami, tessellation, and architectural modeling. The works demonstrate how paper, when approached with rigor and intuition, can behave as both a structural and expressive medium. The concave form of each vessel draws the eye inward to a central point of stillness. The delicate tension accumulated across the folded surface generates an energy that is both architectural and contemplative.
Color introduces a second layer of experience. Ranging from pale neutrals to deep blues and greens to vivid pinks and reds, each vessel activates its environment differently. In lighter tones, the works appear luminous and atmospheric. In darker palettes, they evoke gravity and depth. The tonal variations produced by ambient light shift across the facets throughout the day. The works become kinetic through perception even though they remain physically still.
Light and shadow play an essential role in how each piece is understood. The radiating folds catch illumination at different angles, producing gradients that emphasize the curved geometry of the form. Viewed from the front, the vessels resemble spiraling diagrams or mandalas. From the side, their volumetric presence asserts itself, revealing the subtleties of Shlian’s hand work.
Drawing from mathematics, architectural pattern, and natural systems, the Vaults series bridges the languages of art and science. The works reference natural phenomena such as shells, whirlpools, and growth patterns without literal depiction. Precision becomes a pathway to wonder as the viewer discovers the complexity hidden within a simple sheet of paper.
Installed at Duran Contemporain, the vessels respond directly to the gallery’s light and scale. Each piece casts a shifting perimeter of shadow that extends beyond its physical edge. The works tune the surrounding space rather than dominating it. Their quiet intensity invites a slow and attentive encounter.
Vaults demonstrates Matt Shlian’s mastery of paper as a sculptural medium. Through methodical hand work and rigorous geometric thinking, he creates objects that feel both futuristic and deeply organic. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the full chromatic and spatial range of this ongoing body of work.
