NYC artist Kumi Yamashita makes creative use of shadows and negative space in this series of mesmerizing sculptures. Whether she is tightening thread around nails, making silhouettes of paper and wood, or assembling random objects to form transcendental shapes, Kumi’s mastery of light hinges on her ability to coax a surprising amount of expression and emotion from the most mundane elements. Elaborate portraits are woven in continuous threads and convincing silhouettes. People explode into a cloud of letters and geometric shapes.
It is a fascinating duality on display, where directing light into darkness creates new life with the human form as its central protagonist. It is as if she is telling their stories in a sublime instant - an idea which is put into literal form in her “Dialogue” piece, where a hand cut styrene sculpture is continuously spun to create the illusion of two animated heads having a conversation. It is a clear indication that far beyond the notion of “thinking outside the box”, Kumi possesses a unique talent for transforming the box itself into a thing of beauty.
All images courtesy of Kumi Yamashita. View more at her home page or visit her on Facebook .FinePrintArt.com is a unique platform developed and maintained by Fine Print New York, experts in the restoration of antique, rare & damaged wallpapers. This collaboration allows this website to offer insightful, ad-free content on creative artists and the evolution of visual branding. Fine Print's expertise in restoring vintage designs directly informs the rich, well-researched articles found here, showcasing our commitment to both historical preservation and contemporary artistic exploration.
Joseph Gornail a distinguished printer/photographer and the visionary behind Fine Print New York, hails from SoHo, Manhattan. Rooted in a family tradition of NYC printing, Joseph mastered the craft as a teenager. His significant impact on the New York printing industry ignited in 1996 with Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong. He founded All City Marketing & Printing in the late '90s and co-created the iconic streetwear label Orchard Street with partners Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett in 1999. In 2004, Joseph launched Fine Print NYC, establishing it as a leading commercial printing firm. The company debuted with a landmark project for Nike, epitomizing innovation and resilience in the modern digital landscape.
Steven Garcia a prominent designer/illustrator and creative director at Fine Print, originates from Bushwick, Brooklyn. A graduate of Fashion Industries High School and the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), Steven has carved a notable path in the design world. His early career highlights include a role as a sought-after professional retoucher and storyboard artist at Saatchi & Saatchi in 1996. Embracing his entrepreneurial side, Steven founded ShinyDesign in 1998, which later became a key design partner for Fine Print NYC in 2004. His extensive portfolio features collaborations with elite brands such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria, Netflix and Sony, cementing his status as a key influencer in New York's vibrant advertising & design industry.