Papercut, 2026
Tay Yuling
Yuhua Primary School
The paper cut artwork explores the quiet connection between the iris and the lily. Although different in form, both flowers share symbolic meanings of purity, renewal, and grace. Together, they represent a balance between softness and strength, reflecting the fragility of life alongside its resilience. By placing the iris and lily together, the work highlights how separate elements in nature can be emotionally and symbolically connected.
Paper is the primary material used in this work, chosen for its delicate and vulnerable qualities. Like life itself, paper can be easily torn or damaged, requiring care and patience to preserve its beauty. The careful cutting process mirrors the sensitivity needed to protect something fragile. Through paper, the iris and lily become symbols of the fleeting nature of life and quiet connections that exist within it.
This artwork invites viewers to pause and reflect on the gentleness of life, reminding them that beauty often exists in delicate forms and meaningful connections.
What surprised you when you allowed yourself to start with play?
When I started with play, I discovered that clarity often comes after experimentation. Letting go of outcomes quieted my inner critic and brought back joy. Instead of chaos, play led me to focus, and my most honest ideas emerged once I stopped trying tao make something “good.”
What is one play hack you would like to share to help fellow teacher-artists experiment and create without expectations?
One play hack I would like to share is setting a short timer and intentionally making the “wrong” version of an idea. With no goal of quality or polish, pressure fades and curiosity leads. The time limit makes play doable, and unexpected ideas often surface when you stop trying to be good.
Click here to view the artists’ process!
Read more about ►EDGE 2026 and the existing artworks.
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