Picasso Cut Papers opens this fall at Hammer
Devoted to a little-known yet foundational aspect of Pablo Picasso’s artistic practice, the upcoming Hammer Museum exhibit “Picasso Cut Papers” features some of the artist’s most whimsical and intriguing works.
This exhibition spans the full career of Pablo Picasso, from his first cut papers made in 1899 at nine years of age, through the 1960s, with works he made while in his eighties. It features some of the artist’s most whimsical and intriguing works made on paper and in paper, alongside a select group of sculptures in sheet metal. Although Picasso rarely sold or exhibited his cut papers during his lifetime, he signed, dated and archived them just as he did all his works.
They were part of a more private studio practice, created as independent works of art or in relation to works in other mediums, but also as models for his fabricators and as gifts or games for family and friends. Many examples have been stored flat or disassembled in portfolios until now and will regain their original three-dimensional forms when presented in the exhibition.
Picasso Cut Papers will be on show for free at the Hammer Museum from October 2 through December 31.