Paper Weave
I was inspired to create this Paper Weave after artist Sadie Tierney asked if I would like some strips of cotton paper leftover from her prints. From these upcycled off-cuts, I decided to base the weave around drawing, sketching and marbling to capture the Hotwalls Studio’s buildings, the sea, beach and boats.
The entire weave was made from waste materials including bamboo, discarded fishing line from local fisherman, and leftover string from my workshops which, I used to tie the structure together.
The free workshops included boat sketching with Tierney, painting with fellow Hotwalls’ artist Lizzie Cornelius, and paper weaving with me. It was lovely to see strangers of all ages and abilities come together to paint, draw and chat. Some people even exchanged phone numbers and instagram handles afterwards.
Artist Kristy Fleury, from the Fire Monkey Arts collective, created collages, sketches and paintings in response to the weave. There was a particularly magical moment when project photographer Alex Fountain captured Fleury creating her work, who was consequently capturing the workshop participants creating their work for the weave. This beautifully demonstrated the interweaving of creation that this project stands for.
Materials
Waste Fishing Line - Anglers NLRS
Cotton Paper strips - Artist Sadie Tierney
Waste Bamboo - Artist Rebecca Robinson
Left over string from workshops - Artist Alice Hume
Artists
Sadie Tierney - boat sketching workshop
Lizzie Cornelius - hotwalls building painting workshop
Kristy Fleury - life painting
Alice Hume - paper weaving workshop
Incredible photographs by Alex Fountain.
“It’s pushed me beyond my comfort zone and I really enjoyed it! This is such a fantastic way of bringing people together creatively!”
“a new challenge to draw a moving subject! Fun sunny day!”
“Out on a sunny day and capturing moving subjects is so exciting and triggers an innovative way to rapidly sketch the boats! ”
“I really enjoyed adding to the project along with Stephen and Harry. I was actually quite proud of what I produced, which is a rare feeling”
“I was impressed by the way everyone joined in, even passersby. The mood was relaxed and curious”
“I really enjoyed this activity”
“I really enjoyed working outside and trying to record creatively the weave as it transformed throughout the day. It really pushed me outside my comfort zone as I tend to be quite self conscious when I work. It made me think about how to work from other people’s art work and find an individual perspective for my painting.
I enjoyed seeing people who were just walking nearby stop and react to the art making in the workshop and to the weave itself. I do think this brings art to a wider audience beyond those who might visit an exhibition or studio.
The children who participated seemed very proud of being able to weave their work into the weave along with adults work which I think is so important in valuing their individual contributions.
This project involved different artists at Hotwalls and this I really enjoyed as it meant I met new people and saw different ways of working creatively.”
“One thing in this life is important. It is the present. The power of now. Thanks for this experience. I enjoyed every second of this present. Art is simply emotion”
“I came here not really knowing what to expect but being scared about my skills. I have had a fantastic time and lost some of my fears of being creative. Thank you”
“This workshop has inspired me to get out and do quick sketches more often”
“I’m very scared of a blank canvas but I don’t think I am so much anymore”
“I thought this was a very creative activity and brilliant for the city and I love how you don’t have to be an artist to join in and how helpful and nice everyone was”
“gracias!! great fun going out of my comfort zone collaborating in this project”
“This project has inspired me to go again and look into doing my art class”
“It was a great experience, met new people, it helped to get away from the routine. I would do it again”
“It was great to be involved in such a communal project. A first for me to collaborate with Artists and with the general public to facilitate a workshop. It was incredible to be able to instil confidence in people who were paralysed by fear of not creating the “right thing” or “being good enough”. The immense satisfaction gained from seeing people free to create was overwhelming. and to watch their confidence grow as they created was truly a beautiful experience”
“Thank you so much, so enjoyed we will be back”
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