A Deep Dive into Our Handmade Papers
Papermaking is a captivating process and unique art form, requiring immense skill and care. The earliest known paper dates back to 200 BCE in China and was made of mulberry and hemp. After the inception of paper, papermaking practices quickly spread throughout Asia and Europe with each region putting their own twist on the process. Whether through their machinery or the local fibers used, each region adapted the papermaking process to better suit their needs and in turn created new types of paper. Papermaking was introduced to Japan by the 7th century and they modified the Chinese method to create a stronger paper, eventually going by the name of Washi. Washi grew to become a large part of Japanese culture and is still used today.
We use many different handmade papers from all around the world at Visual Contrast. Each type of paper is totally unique and that's what we love about it- no two sheets are exactly the same. Adding a handmade touch to every artwork, handmade paper is the perfect substrate for our art and we love to experiment with the many ways it can be used.
For most of our silkscreens, we use a paper made in Bhutan using traditional Japanese methods. Made with edgeworthia, or mitsumata in Japanese, this paper uses the fibers of the small shrub to create a paper that is smoother and lighter in texture. Since the paper is handmade and doesn’t have chemicals, the paper absorbs the ink, enhancing the color and adding dimension. The natural raw edge of the sheet showcases the natural fibers embedded in the paper, revealing the paper’s handmade nature.
One of our favorites is our Nepalese paper, a highly textural paper made in the Himalayas using traditional papermaking techniques. These are some of the largest handmade paper sheets we’ve ever seen, reaching 58 inches by 118 inches long. Thick clusters of fibers give the paper a rough and rugged surface, making it perfect to provide texture in our artworks. In the Woven Abstracts series, this paper is painted in bright colors and used as the substrate with woven yarn on its surface. The paper adds a three-dimensional aspect to the artwork with its texture, enticing the viewer to come in for a closer look.
Another textural paper we use is called Kyoseishi, which translates to “strengthened paper” in Japanese. Made from kozo, or mulberry bark, this decorative paper has a wrinkled and almost cloth-like appearance. The crumpled nature of the paper fortifies it, making it flexible and able to withstand movement. Used in our white Sculpted Panel, the white Kyoseishi paper is pasted onto the smooth sculpting paste surface to create contrast through texture.
For some of our Mini Screen Prints, we use a handmade paper from a local papermaking workshop in Guanajuato, Mexico. Made of pressed flowers, dried botanicals, and cotton, these papers come in small sheets of varying bright colors. Small specks of color dot the papers, showing the many natural materials used in the papermaking process. With a deckled natural edge, these papers are truly unique.
Another handmade paper from Mexico, our Yucatan paper is made using ancient Mayan techniques and Washi techniques. Created by artisans, the paper has a diagonal line design created by the fork-like instrument that spreads the paper pulp. The paper is made from snake plant and cattail fibers which give it a light orange color. In Overlapped Textiles II, this paper is used in a vertical stripe to give a pop of color and provide texture to the artwork.
Handmade papers give our artworks a distinctive touch, adding to the uniqueness and artisanal nature. Each sheet of handmade paper showcases the rich history of papermaking through the many different methods and materials used. Using paper from all over the world enables us to learn about the art-making practices of varying cultures, connecting us through art.
