Cat and Dragonfly Silhouette

A black cat looks up at a dragonfly fluttering above its head in this black-and-white, cut paper silhouette. Areas of white negative space suggest texture and form in the cat’s fur and claws and create a spacious setting for the scene. The image is at once mischievous and suspenseful: Will the cat catch the dragonfly? Through the arranging of cut paper, the artist invites the viewer to engage in the work’s playful narrative.

After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Ira Blount (1918-2020) mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.