Melanie Wong
As a mixed-media origami artist, I combine my skills in paper folding and furniture refinishing to create gorgeous yet elaborate sculptures. My work transcends traditional boundaries by incorporating both modern-day techniques and an ancient art form.
What distinguishes my art practice is the combination of materials and tools, including art paper, a cutting machine, and acrylic paints. Because my artwork is sculptural, I use art paper for its durability, despite the added challenge it poses in folding. To address this, I use a cutting machine to cut and score the paper, ensuring crisp creases. Additionally, I paint the sheets with acrylics, allowing me to control the mood of each piece, which is deeply connected to my experience as a high-functioning special-needs student and the resilience I developed through adversity.
Viewers feel a connection through my work, encouraging them to see the beauty in resilience and the strength in vulnerability. My artwork creates a space where stories of adversity and solitude are celebrated, allowing others to find their own narratives within the folds of my work. This practice is essential to me, not only as a form of self-expression but also as a way to honor the journeys of those who, like me, have found peace in their uniqueness and strength in their challenges.
Contact
www.aimeiri.com
hello@aimeiri.com
@aimeridesigns
Interview
What inspires your art practice and keeps you motivated?
I am a mixed-media origami and mixed-media artist who is inspired by geometric puzzles that involve arranging multiple pieces to create a larger object. Think of my art as Legos, but instead of Lego blocks, I use folded paper. My experience of being a high-functioning special-needs student inspires me to keep creating art that is like a puzzle for me to solve while connecting with people on an emotional level.
How does your mission as an artist influence the work you create?
My mission as an artist is to share the story and sentiment of being a puzzling “problem” child and how the important aspects of your personality persist through adversity. This drives me to create art that is not only visually compelling but also emotionally impactful. My work is not just about aesthetics; it’s about connecting with people on a deeper level, offering them a sense of introspection and empowerment.
Can you share a key part of your creative process that helps you stay focused?
A key part of my creative process that helps me stay focused is applying an Agile/SCRUM working environment to my art business. As a former technical communicator for large technology companies, I am familiar with getting a lot done in a little time. In a nutshell, an Agile work environment involves setting small goals to achieve big ones. In my studio, a deliverable is typically something measurable or something that can be handed off to someone else. My deliverables are usually creating artwork, making sales, crafting email content, etc. My smaller goals may be to make 4 pieces of art by the end of the month or paint 8 large sheets of paper by the end of the day. This helps me focus on big-picture goals while making meaningful progress without getting sidetracked.
What mindset tip do you rely on to overcome challenges in your art career?
I remind myself that challenges are an integral part of the creative journey and that each obstacle is an opportunity to grow. When I encounter difficulties, I approach them as if they are puzzles that need to be solved. This helps me respond calmly and with optimism rather than getting frustrated. Seeing challenges as part of a game makes failing seem less consequential and helps take the fear and anxiety out of being stuck.
How do you hope your art impacts the world or your community?
I hope my art is a source of inspiration and introspection for viewers. My work is not just about individual expression; it’s about building a community of people who understand that their challenges are not just obstacles but potential sources of power and beauty. As a former special-needs student from The Center School who used my status as high-functioning to stand up for my fellow classmates, I pledge to donate 10% of proceeds from direct sales to The Center School Foundation to support special-needs students in overcoming challenges in their own journeys and empowering them to find the strength within themselves.
