Yumiko Matsui is a New York-based paper artist who was trained as a painter in her hometown of Osaka, Japan. Her project Coney Island, created in 2009, depicts the amusement park in minute detail and at a miniature size — it measures less than four square-feet and is just over a foot tall. Here, Matsui shares with us a slideshow of images of the piece and a glimpse into the mind that created it.
I have been making paper sculpture since 2006. I was influenced by the dollhouses that I watched my aunt and uncle create when I returned home to Japan on vacation. They made me realize a love of miniature worlds.
I am from Osaka. My miniature worlds are patterned after Japan and New York, but also an imaginary place.
I fold and glue pieces of colored paper to create 3D sculpture with a special focus on small details. That is the most interesting part for me to work on.
The concept of my work could be expressed as “Feel as if you are here.” I hope to provide small happiness and kindness to people through my art work.
