Paper Couture by Caterina Crepax

By Marina Rybak

Caterina’s famous father, comic artist Guido Crepax gave the world a notorious cartoon character Valentina. With the looks of Louise Brooks, Valentina Rosselli was a photojournalist from Milan. This kinky and vulnerable femme fatale grooved to the beat of time on the pages of the mildly erotic comic strip from the mid-sixties to the mid-nineties. Her sensuality captured a wide audience and the character is still wildly popular with the devoted fan base.

Contemporary artist Caterina Crepax shares her father’s passion for art, design and the tactile bliss of working with paper. But while Guido’s creation invites her admirers to follow his subject into the carnal depths, Caterina’s wonders take us on the ethereal journey.

With a background in architecture, interior, set and product design, the artist released her paper fantasies in to the world in 1995.  She works with rice paper and all types of paper we consider waste, destined for recycling or landfills. Caterina folds, curls, pleats and crimps her creations. Sometimes they glow from within. Her fragile couture sculptures are a fashion dreamland.

She is frequently exhibited in Europe. Her recent installation at PALAZZO MORANDO in Milan has caught my attention. I would love to see more of her art reaching our shores. It is so enchanting; and what a way to make a contribution in saving the Planet.