What is Papel Picado?

 Papel picado, meaning punched or perforated paper, is the medium in which I first learned to cut paper.  This style of paper cutting derives from the interaction between Pre-Columbian, European and Asian materials and traditions.  While indigenous paper-cutting designs were done on sheets of bark, Spanish trade ships containing items wrapped in delicate Chinese tissue paper made papel picado what it is today.  Now it is recognizable in the tissue-paper banners decorating Mexican fiestas and ceremonies.  My current paper cutting combines an eclectic history of (New)Mexican origins with feminism, pop culture, and sexual politics.

All images are intellectual property of Kai Margarida-Ramírez.  It is forbidden to copy, download, or use images without the artist's written permission.