Celebrating Paper

Yesterday I went to an exhibition at the RWA in Bristol called Celebrating Paper. It is on until 21st February and is definitely worth a visit if you're interested in the ways artists use paper. There were works from traditional papermakers who make their own papers through to artists using found papers like maps and old books to create mixed media pieces. There was little in the way of techniques like papier mache and papercutting but it is such a massive area of interest how on earth could they cover everything?

However, over 50% of the exhibition fell clearly into the printmaking category. There were artists making their own paper to print on to and quite a few 3D constructions from etched and collagraphed prints. My particular favourites were the works of Penny Brewill. These were etchings, contrived into boxed constructions or plans of Heath Robinson type contraptions. Unsurprisingly she says of her work that she has a '... keen interest in model making, plans, machines and a curiosity in discovering how things work....'

Of what I call the true papermakers, there was a piece by American artist Helen Hiebert incorporating thread between handpulled abaca sheets. It is called 'The Way it is' and uses a printed line from the poem of the same name by William Stafford. I'd never heard of him before but found it today and love the whole thing :

There's a thread that you follow. It goes among

things that change. But it doesn't change.

People wonder about what you are pursuing.

You have to explain about the thread.

But it is hard for others to see.

While you hold it you can't get lost.

Tragedies happen; people get hurt

or die; and you suffer and get old.

Nothing you can do can stop time's unfolding.

You don't ever let go of the thread.