Outlined in metallic gold against field of red, black vines wind among silver and cream flowers on this origami paper crane. Artist Ira Blount (1918-2020) called Washington, DC home, though his work embraced international influences, including origami. The Japanese art of paper folding dates to the country’s Muromachi period, which spanned the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries. While the crane is a common origami design, it recalls a longer tradition that connects Blount to a global community of practitioners.
After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Ira Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.
