Chennai: Miniature art is gaining attraction worldwide. Many have adopted it to replace large canvases with smaller ones. Srilaxmi Chandran, a resident of Taramani, in the city, is one among them.
However her interest is origami miniatures. This self-taught artist has been fashioning everyday items such as Ramen bowls to Veena, into miniatures. Her works are a little over a centimeter.
Srilaxmi has been working with paper from the age of six. Speaking to ‘News Today’, she says, “I remember making paper boats and jumping frogs. I always had a fascination for origami, but I began working on it only six years ago.”
Having completed her post graduation from Loyola in Food Chemistry and Food processing, Srilaxmi says that she learnt all about origami by watching online tutorials.
“It is pretty easy, provided you have the interest. I dont use any special tools, except scissors, glue and some tweezers,” she adds.
While we have plenty of artists working with clay to make miniature models, there are only a few who have taken up origami to make miniatures.
“Sometimes when I don’t find it satisfying, I start again. The time it takes for me to complete one depends on the details,” she says. She has made plates of pooris, rolls of pootharekulu (a traditional Andhra sweet), the tiniest Pringles tin.
“Not everyone gives importance to paper but in reality it is under-utilised. It is a good material to make versatile craft,” says Srilaxmi, who uses coloured papers, tissues and newspapers to make her creatives. Her next aim is to make miniature musical instruments.
Srilaxmi can be reached at 9042847425.