Split leaf
to Aliki van der Kruijs’ windowWhat inspired me the most at the ‘The Oasis from Matisse’ exhibition were the details of the cut-out collages and his love for textiles. The forms are made of different parts of paper glued together, which cause relief and subtle differences in colour.
![cutlines-matisse-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/cutlines-matisse-1200.jpg)
Dashed lines mark how the leaf is constructed
I had seen work of Matisse before, but not in this abundance and I had never taken such a close look. Matisse thought that his lively designs become flat and sterile in reproductions, especially in the book ‘Jazz’. The book marks the transition from the cut-outs as a tool for composition, to autonomous artworks. He came to realise that the dimension and energy he sought were closely related to the material he used to create the collages.
When I look at the contour and the layered paper connections in his work, I wonder how he decided to construct his leafs.
![monstera-matisse](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/monstera-matisse.jpg)
A lot of leaf shapes in the work of Matisse look like the ‘Philodendron’ specie, known for its split leaves.
![monstera-1-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-1-1200.jpg)
Through my work I find methods to shape my perception of nature. Last year my friend Lenn Cox gave me a photocopy of a Monstera deliciosa for my birthday. She copied the leaf intuitively, because it reminded her of my (organic) work. I started to play with a real and a copied leaf (A3 size).
![monstera-2-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-2-1200.jpg)
Monstera deliciosa on A3 scanner
![monstera-3-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-3-1200.jpg)
Monstera deliciosa on A3 paper
For the One Window print I prefer to start working with a grid instead of the A3 paper dimension. Working with the organic forms of the leaf and the applied grid creates an interesting composition of shapes and negative spaces. I think this is very useful for the project.
![monstera-4-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-4-1200.jpg)
![monstera-5-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-5-1200.jpg)
10×10 cm grid
![monstera-6-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-6-1200.jpg)
![monstera-7-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-7-1200.jpg)
![monstera-8-1200](https://www.newwindow.nl/content/1-windows/0-aliki-van-der-kruijs/20151202-beyond-the-monstera/20150614-split-leaf/thumbs/monstera-8-1200.jpg)
Although the leaf is cut into square pieces, the origin is still very recognisable.