Donna Bolkcom Collage Assemblage Artist

Donna Bolkcom’s vibrant abstract art embraces a balance of form and tension by combining contrasting elements with strong hues and organic textures. These collages and assemblages often expand from a paper or board surface to become sculptural compositions. Her work is created with complex entwined layers using a wide variety of handmade papers. Each paper element is painted with various water-based pigments before being incorporated into the design. Encaustic, metal and found objects often enhance the energy.

Many collages and assemblages are inspired by her treks in the Himalayas and extensive travels in Southeast Asia. There she visited paper mills and artisans while collecting natural handmade papers created with ancient techniques. The artist has studied papermaking in New York with Jonathan Tucker and taken workshops at Dieu Donne Foundation. She is currently producing many of the papers found in her compositions.

The artist is now exploring works with hand-made painted papers and other elements that rise in layers without a separate base. This approach creates three-dimensional wall sculptures with dynamic edges and textured elements.