Decoupage, the art of cutting and pasting cutouts. While Matisse is credited as the inventor of the cutout & being of great influence, it was in my teenage years, as my eyes poured over an art text book that I paused upon one page - there, staring at me was ‘Pittsburgh Memory’, a collaged cutout by American artist Romare Bearden. A challenge to my artistic sensibilities it was,  smitten & eager to understand, I was held captive by the blend of technical innovation, personal narrative, and cultural exploration. The cutout remains a powerful & dexterous reflection of an artists ability to wield & compose a unique medium that crosses the divide or fine art & graphic design, the commercial & the cultural.