I’m Andrew and I make a living cutting thousands of holes from sheets of paper to reveal street maps of interesting places.
About two years ago I was a successful middle manager at a multinational corporation when one day I was hit by a long and deep bout of depression. Seeking help, I was prescribed anti-depressants.
Unfortunately, I had a very bad reaction to the medication and ended up taking several months off to recover from the memory and fine motor-skill issues I was left with. I took up papercutting as a hobby to support my recovery and keep me occupied.
Over the months that followed, I could see gradual ongoing improvements to my health and paper cutting skills. Christmas came and I gave a few simple street maps that I had cut from paper to close family and friends, receiving a very warm response in return. It was suggested that I might be able to sell them – a backup plan or ‘Plan B’ if my recovery and return to work didn’t go as planned.
Whilst I couldn’t go back to work I finessed my approach over the last year and mechanised most of the cutting process so that I could get the intricate detail I was looking for but incapable of achieving with my still shaky hands.
Today, I’m still not 100% recovered but that's okay. I now have a little studio on my boat ‘Plan B’ where I make a living creating art. I spend my days making papercut street maps and watching the ducks float past my window.
About two years ago I was a successful middle manager at a multinational corporation
A papercut map of London.
One day I was hit by a long and deep bout of depression
Seeking help, I was prescribed anti-depressants
Unfortunately, I had a very bad reaction to the medication and ended up taking several months off to recover from the memory and fine motor-skill issues
I took up papercutting as a hobby to support my recovery and keep me occupied
Over the months that followed, I could see gradual ongoing improvements to my health and paper cutting skills
I gave a few simple street maps that I had cut from paper to close family and friends, receiving a very warm response in return
It was suggested that I might be able to sell them – a backup plan or ‘Plan B’ if my recovery and return to work didn’t go as planned
This map series was made from 16 sheets with more than 5,000 holes cut from them.
I now have a little studio on my boat ‘Plan B’ where I make a living creating art
A papercut map of London (Bohemian color scheme).
I spend my days making papercut street maps and watching the ducks float past my window
