They Took All the Measurements by Cybèle Young transforms ordinary observation into something whimsical and unexpected. Known for her meticulously crafted paper sculptures, Young creates intricate worlds from fine Japanese paper, drawing inspiration from everyday objects and experiences. In this work, careful measurement and documentation become a metaphor for humanity’s desire to understand, categorize, and make sense of the world around us. Through delicate craftsmanship and imaginative transformation, the piece invites viewers to look beyond practicality and discover the poetry hidden within familiar routines. Young’s work balances precision with playfulness, encouraging a renewed sense of curiosity about the objects and systems that shape daily life.
Young’s creative process is rooted in patience, precision, and an ongoing dialogue with her materials. Working primarily with delicate Japanese paper, she meticulously cuts, folds, scores, and assembles individual components by hand, transforming simple sheets into remarkably intricate sculptural forms. Her practice often begins with close observation of everyday objects and systems, which are then reimagined through a process of experimentation and play. Layer by layer, Young builds complex structures that balance technical accuracy with a sense of spontaneity and wonder. The resulting work reflects both the discipline of careful craftsmanship and the imaginative freedom that allows ordinary subjects to evolve into poetic and unexpected visual narratives.
Cybèle Young is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans sculpture, printmaking, book arts, experimental film, animation, and performance. Best known for her exquisitely detailed paper sculptures, Young works primarily with Japanese paper, transforming everyday objects and observations into intricate, imaginative forms. Her artwork explores themes of transformation, ritual, curiosity, and the relationship between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Over a career spanning more than three decades, she has exhibited internationally and received numerous grants and awards, including Canada’s prestigious Governor General’s Literary Award for her illustrated book Ten Birds. Through her meticulous craftsmanship and playful visual language, Young invites viewers to reconsider familiar subjects from new and unexpected perspectives.
