Illuminated Cut Paper Lightboxes by Hari & Deepti

Illuminated Cut Paper Lightboxes by Hari & Deepti

Deepti Nair and Harikrishnan Panicker, who together are known as Hari & Deepti, have developed a unique style of paper art that inspires images of beautiful paintings or fairytales. They start by cutting out designs on stiff watercolor paper. Each layer builds upon the last, enriching the scene. 

Then, everything is put together into a box and backlit with LED strips, creating these beautiful storybook scenes.

Panicker writes that he was inspired by Balinese shadow puppets, and their influence shows somewhat in their work. Their figures are expressive and exotic and often star in mythical scenes. 

“Paper is brutal in its simplicity as a medium,” they state. “It demands the attention of the artist while it provides the softness they need to mold it into something beautiful. It is playful, light, colorless and colorful. It is minimal and intricate. It reflects light, creates depth and illusions in a way that it takes the artist through a journey with limitless possibilities.”

“What amazes us about the paper cut light boxes is the dichotomy of the piece in its lit and unlit state, the contrast is so stark that it has this mystical effect on the viewers.”

I choose Deepti Nair and Harikrishnan Panicker artwork. I'm mindblown by how they can be so creative with just a white paper and their art work is so detailed that I can't even imagine how many hours of work it takes to create one masterpiece. When I look at their art works it almost feel like its moving. I also love that each of their artwork tells us a story and how its has alot of movement in the artwork.