Melbourne Illustrator Benjamin Allder crafts original artworks out of cut paper. Texturally organic in composition, exhibiting a vibrant and eclectic colour palette, Ben’s illustrations observe the everyday in an extraordinary way. Slightly surreal and darkly humorous, his artwork is instantly recognisable, delightfully warm and humanist.

Ben enjoys creating characters that breathe life into the realm of visual storytelling. He starts by envisioning the characters in detail, exploring their unique personalities, physical traits, and backstories. From there, he literally carves these visions out of paper, capturing the essence of each character through shapes, colours, and textures. The creative journey involves experimenting with different colours, shapes, gestures, and expressions to bring forth the desired emotions and narratives. Ben crafts characters that engage viewers, evoking a sense of familiarity, curiosity, or wonder. These illustrations serve as visual gateways, inviting audiences to connect with the characters and immerse themselves in their captivating worlds.

Handcrafting typography out of paper cutouts offers a unique and captivating way to bring words to life. The process requires both precision and creativity, the tactile nature of the paper and organic shape adds depth and texture to the typography, enhancing its visual appeal. Ben hand cuts each letter, allowing the typography to be individual, dynamic and humanist - it celebrates the art of lettering in a truly tangible and enchanting way.

Ben has been commissioned to create illustrations for a diverse range of clients, allowing him to adapt his approach to suit the distinct needs and objectives of each project. Working with councils he has contributed to public spaces that visually reflect the local culture and identity. Collaborating with hospitals his illustrations aim to bring xxx and inspiration to staff. Partnering with small businesses has allowed Ben to play a significant role in their branding and marketing efforts, creating eye-catching visuals that capture their essence and helping them to stand out. Engaging in community initiatives and festivals has allowed Ben’s illustrations to promote education, social causes and community spirit. Through these diverse projects, Ben has been able to showcase his artistic versatility and make a positive impact through visual storytelling.

Ben creates simple, fun animations out of cut paper that bring characters and stories to life. They can tell a simple story, while being amusing and engaging. Each paper element is carefully cut and articulated, allowing for a range of playful motions and interactions. The simplicity of cut paper animation adds a unique charm and a touch of nostalgia. Ben uses a combination of stop-motion techniques and photoshop frames to animate his paper characters. This creative process offers endless opportunities for storytelling and imaginative expression, exploring the magic of animation through the art of cut paper.

This creative process combines the tactile nature of paper with the playful exploration of shapes and colours. Each cutout is shaped and arranged to form a modern pattern that comes to life with a sense of depth and visual interest. The interplay of different textures adds a tactile element, inviting viewers to engage not only visually but also by touch. Ben’s patterns have a very hand crafted feel that are a standout amongst the digital creations of the modern age. Combining traditional technique with modern themes and colours helps create a juxtaposition resulting in captivating patterns that spark joy and stand out amongst the noise.

Ben turns a small selection of his illustrations into cards, postcards, and prints under his Banana on Cat brand. He hand screen-prints very limited runs or uses sustainably sourced digital printing to produce his goods.
These products are sold online, at markets, in select stores or through wholesale channels. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, adding to your art collection, or sending a thoughtful gesture, Banana on Cat cards, prints, and postcards with their distinctive handcrafted technique, vibrant colour palette, surreal and darkly humorous imagery will amuse.

Characters