The artist
About Rona
Mathematician, computer scientist, and origami artist — where numbers meet the art of the fold.
4
Published books
150k+
Books sold
3
Countries presented
Museum
Permanent collection
Where it all began
Rona Gurkewitz was drawn to mathematics early in life and discovered computer science and origami later. She worked with Lillian Oppenheimer and Laura Kruskal in the early days of popularizing origami in the United States.
She is a creative folder, inventing original designs as well as new, mathematical ways of explaining complex modular models. She is the author of four published books, with co-author Bennett Arnstein, that have sold over 150,000 copies.
She has given talks and workshops at conferences in the USA, the United Kingdom and Japan. Some of her designs are in the Mingei International Museum's permanent collection.
Background
Mathematics, computing & origami
"Origami is where mathematics becomes something you can hold in your hands."
Rona earned BA and MA degrees in Mathematics from UCLA and MS and MPhil degrees in Computer Science from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University.
She taught in the Mathematics and Computer Science departments at Western Connecticut State University and served as Computer Science department chair. She holds the title of Professor Emerita. Now living in Seattle, she continues teaching part-time and remotely, including origami at the Seattle Universal Math Museum.
The process
From sheet to sculpture
01
Choose the paper
Every piece begins with selecting the right sheet — weight, texture, and color all shape what the paper can become.
02
Follow the fold
Rona works without glue on most origami pieces, relying entirely on precise folding to build structure and form.
03
Assemble & finish
Modular works and quilts are assembled by hand, each unit placed with care to create the final composition.
Want to learn more?
Rona is still teaching and sharing her love of origami and mathematics. Reach out to start a conversation.
Get in touch