changing landscapes
papermaking + printmaking
awards: university of louisville undergraduate research symposium: 1st place humanities-fine art (2022)
The first paper was invented around 105 AD. Over time, traditional practices have been automated as a response to an increase in demand. Though modernization has had a positive impact on productivity, it has taken a toll on the environment by removing significant amounts of natural resources.
This research examines traditional papermaking as a means of bettering the environment. By using invasive species in the area, we are removing harmful fibers from our local landscape and allowing native species to grow. In addition to invasives such as tree of heaven and yellow flag iris, other sustainable fibers used in this research include cotton, abaca, hemp, flax, and jute.
After researching and creating various papers, they were used in a printmaking series. Printmaking is a democratic practice in that one design can be printed several times. This spreads art across a broader audience. The subject of each linoleum cut print is a man-made structure that correlates with the paper fiber’s origin. This is a commentary on the global shift from a focus on the natural world to one that is curated by humankind.
The first paper was invented around 105 AD. Over time, traditional practices have been automated as a response to an increase in demand. Though modernization has had a positive impact on productivity, it has taken a toll on the environment by removing significant amounts of natural resources.
This research examines traditional papermaking as a means of bettering the environment. By using invasive species in the area, we are removing harmful fibers from our local landscape and allowing native species to grow. In addition to invasives such as tree of heaven and yellow flag iris, other sustainable fibers used in this research include cotton, abaca, hemp, flax, and jute.
After researching and creating various papers, they were used in a printmaking series. Printmaking is a democratic practice in that one design can be printed several times. This spreads art across a broader audience. The subject of each linoleum cut print is a man-made structure that correlates with the paper fiber’s origin. This is a commentary on the global shift from a focus on the natural world to one that is curated by humankind.
colesseum, print on hemp paper, 9x12, 2022.
sphinx, print on yellow flag iris and flax paper, 9x12, 2022.
the great wall, print on tree of heaven and abaca paper, 9x12, 2022.
taj mahal, print on jute paper, 9x12, 2022.
mount rushmore, print on cotton paper, 9x12, 2022.