Analog Collage Revival: Global Artists
In a time ruled by screens and artificial intelligence, many artists are returning to one of the oldest tools in art: scissors. The revival of analog collage is gaining traction across the globe—especially in Chile/Colombia, South Korea, and Spain—as creators rediscover the raw beauty of working by hand.
This isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a response to digital overload—a way to slow down, embrace imperfection, and reclaim physical space in an increasingly virtual world.
Why Analog Collage, and Why Now?
Several cultural shifts are driving the resurgence:
- Digital fatigue: Many feel overwhelmed by screens, algorithms, and endless scrolling.
- Need for tactility: Paper offers a direct, sensory connection with the artwork—something to touch, tear, and layer.
- Desire for uniqueness: Each analog collage is one of a kind, not copy-paste.
- Sustainable creativity: Artists repurpose old books and packaging, turning waste into meaning.
This hands-on method opposes sleek, AI-generated aesthetics. It gives artists back full control of their process and material.
🌍 Global Voices Leading the Movement
🇨🇴 Ignacio Rivas – Chile/Colombia
Working with recycled magazines and poetic fragments, Ignacio Rivas crafts collages that explore memory, protest, and identity. His handmade pieces appear in Latin American zines and art fairs.
@ignaciorivasart
🇰🇷 Yeji Yun – South Korea
Known as YETI, Yeji Yun combines Korean motifs, surreal figures, and bold colors. Her analog collages appear in international design publications and solo exhibitions.
@seeouterspace
🇪🇸 Rocío Montoya – Spain
Madrid-based Rocío Montoya blends female portraiture, nature, and surrealism. Using vintage paper, her work feels like a dreamy, tactile narrative.
@rocio_montoya
The Politics of Paper
Analog collage isn’t just art—it’s quiet resistance. In places where expression is limited, paper becomes a powerful tool. It can’t be filtered or erased by an algorithm.
Workshops and zines are popping up globally, especially in feminist and queer spaces. In many ways, analog collage is today’s zine culture—raw, unpredictable, and deeply personal.
In 2025, the revival of analog collage connects artists to something real. It’s protest, healing, and freedom—cut and pasted by hand. As tech moves faster, this movement reminds us of the beauty in slowing down and creating something truly original.
