Materials: 300 GSM colored cardstock, hand-cut paper layers

Size: 6 x 7 inches (15.2 x 17.8 cm)

Year: 2020

Description: The Printer is a 2020 hand-cut paper artwork by Roche Jackson. The piece is inspired by a photograph I discovered in a vintage LIFE magazine. It features an African American soldier from the 1960s carrying a portable printing press during a military mission. The press was used to document events and produce printed materials in the field, preserving history as it unfolded.

This artwork is created from three layers of 300 GSM colored cardstock. Each layer is cut entirely by hand using only an X-Acto knife. The layered construction creates depth while highlighting the details of the soldier, the printing press, and the surrounding composition.

The warm cream and vintage yellow tones are paired with a rich brown outer layer, giving the piece the appearance of an aged photograph. The limited color palette reinforces the historical subject while reflecting my appreciation for printed media, graphic design, and the craftsmanship behind traditional printing techniques.

The Printer honors both the people who documented history and the printed images that continue to preserve it. By transforming a forgotten magazine photograph into hand-cut paper art, the piece connects history, storytelling, and craftsmanship in a contemporary form.

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