These beautiful wooden sculptures combine natural materials and abstract Islamic and Buddhist patterns with 3D printing technology. Oakland-based artist Gabriel Schama creates the pieces using both digital and manual techniques that was made possible thanks to crowdfunding.
Schama starts off with 1/8-inch pieces of mahogany plywood and uses a laser-cutting machine that was funded by a Kickstarter campaign last year to manufacture pieces which he then glues together. This technique results in beautiful reliefs that bring different patterns to life by transforming them into 3-dimensional objects. The artist started by working with piece of paper, experimenting with different patterns by creating paper cuts that he layers into colorful artwork. Now, thanks to his laser cutting machine, the artist is able to work precisely with wood to create his unique artwork.
Originally, the depth and detailing of the artist’s paper sculptures were perfected using an Exacto knife and one piece could take weeks to complete. In order to dedicate his time to his craft and expand into bigger works, the artist reach out to supporters through crowdsourcing to raise the funds in order to rent a studio and to acquire a laser-cutting machine. Now, Schama is able to better bring his visions into reality.
Via Treehugger
