Samantha Quinn

Samantha Quinn is a paper sculptor and graphic designer, founder of Squinn & Co., a paper studio based in West London designing and producing window installations, props and sets all from paper. Clients have included: Swatch, Aquascutum, Selfridges, Chopard, Clarins, Tiffany & Co. and the Premier League, to name just a few. For Samantha, the wonderful thing about working with paper is that she never quite knows what she is going to be asked to create next. Each brief that comes in is a new and exciting challenge. Some clients come to her with a clear vision of what they want, and others are happy to be guided creatively. Regardless of the project, she always starts with hand-drawn sketches that she then transforms into graphic, handworked paper sculptures.

Regardless of the project, Samantha Quinn always starts with hand-drawn sketches to work out structure and a rough composition. Depending on the client, these sketches are often worked up digitally to get a sign-off before committing to anything. For large-scale pieces it is often necessary to build a skeleton or structure from cardboard, which is then adorned with paper to add detail. If Samantha needs to cut anything repetitive or en masse, such as paper feathers or fur on animals, then she will use her cutting machine for these elements. Everything is then assembled and embellished by hand. Occasionally things do not go to plan and the paper does not behave as anticipated and Samantha has to go back to the drawing board. She feels that she learns with every job and tries not to become disheartened. When faced with these creative challenges, Samantha finds it is always good to take some time away to clear her head before returning to solve the problem.

In 2015 Samantha Quinn co-founded a community of paper artists while with a Norwegian paper artist Kristine Braanen. The Paper Artist Collective was established to bring like-minded creatives together for support, discussion and collaboration. Six years on, the collective has close to 100 members from over 20 countries.

Magnae Chartae Exhibition