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Darryl Bedford, an Australian artist and innovator, is redefining the possibilities of paper. Blending traditional origami with cutting-edge digital design, he crafts intricate, kinetic sculptures that challenge our perception of this humble material. Born in Perth, Australia, and now based in London. Darryl is a teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator, trauma-informed practitioner, and paper engineer. His passion for paper extends beyond aesthetics; he believes in its therapeutic potential, using it to connect individuals with the natural world and promote well-being.
Drawstring Origami is a craft that Bedford has created. Combining traditional origami and kirigami techniques, he creates complex, flexible modular forms by adding cuts, stringing up, and glueing.
Bedfords cut patterns lead to unique folds that include Knitted Origami, Curved Bliss (pictured), Anamorphic, Hinge Fold and Lattice Fold.
I had the delight of seeing Bedford’s piece Alchemy on the runway at Paper on Skin in Tasmania in the fall of 2024.
Alchemy, Winner of the Mayor of Devonport ‘Behind the Curtain’ Award at Paper On Skin 2024, Photo by Grant Wells Photo
Bedford has many tutorials on YouTube and sells patterns for his designs on Etsy.
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Darryl Bedford’s recommendations:
- Folding Techniques for Designers by Paul Jackson
- Art Forms in Nature by Ernst Haeckel
- Tomoko Fuse’s Origami Art
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You can find out more about Darryl Bedford on his website and on Instagram.
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Music featuring excerpts of Makin’ Paper folk song by Peter Thomas. Listen to the full song and find out about other paper and book arts folk songs.
Gary A. Hanson did the sound editing for this episode. He practices and refines his skills in audio production while making his own podcast I’ll Have a Beer and Talk, a show about tech news, culture, weird animal stories and of course, beer. Gary is also the Deckle in Pulp & Deckle, a Portland-based community hand papermaking studio.
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