Michael Herbert

ONE GLANCE at the way Michael uses his hands will tell you how he earned his nick-name “The Magician“. His accurate and characterful silhouettes are cut in a matter of seconds with a long pair of surgical scissors, much longer than my own.

The Magician

Michael and I have worked together under the Roving Artist banner for over twenty-five years. He is always my first choice when clients ask me to recommend another artist.

See Michael in action

Michael Herbert: artist statement

“I have been cutting silhouettes professionally for over twenty-five years. I work at a wide range of events, both at home and abroad. My architectural background helps to give a sense of proportion and detail to my work.

Initially I was intrigued by the look that a child has in its eyes when spellbound, a phenomenon which disappears as we get older. I spent years trying to find a way of re-creating that ‘look’ in adults. Initially I experimented with sleight-of-hand magic, but eventually I settled on cutting silhouettes. I am currently researching the possibility of capturing the actual character of the person in these minimal portraits (rather than simply a physical likeness) a feat which many believe to be impossible.

I have given a number of workshops for schools and museums, which involve a brief talk on the history of the silhouette and a demonstration of ‘how to do it’. This is followed by pupils attempting to cut a likeness of their friends! These are mounted on a printed handout which summarises what they have learned. This is an area of work I am keen to expand”.

Michael Herbert

Bride and Groom Silhouettes

When working at weddings Michael works slightly differently from the way I do. If the bride and groom would like a full-length silhouette he will take a couple of photographs on the day and cut them afterwards in his studio. He finds this way of working produces better results, allowing him more time to cut white veils, collars and dresses into the black paper.

The examples below show that this is time well spent.

Artist Biography

Born in New Zealand in 1962, Michael is a talented magician. Dissatisfied with conjuring tricks, he abandoned the pursuit of magic to take up a career as a silhouettist. He taught himself to cut silhouettes in the late 1990s after studying the work of the famous American magician and silhouettist Dai Vernon.

Michael’s professional background is in architecture, which left him with a unique sense of proportion, a distinctive linear style, and the spatial aptitude that silhouette cutting demands. He contacted Charles out of the blue one day to ask what kind of paper he should use — and they have been firm friends ever since.

In 2006, Michael joined Charles at the 80th birthday party of Queen Elizabeth II, one of many prestigious events at which the two have worked together over twenty-five years.

Michael Herbert is available for mix-and-mingle silhouette cutting at corporate and private events. He also offers silhouette workshops in schools and museums.

Contact Michael

To enquire about Michael’s availability for your event, please use the Roving Artist enquiry form or get in touch directly.