The Significance of Paper

January 6 th - February 11 th 2007

Paper has a long history, beginning with the ancient Egyptians and continuing to the present day. For thousands of years, hand-made methods dominated and then, during the 19th century, paper production became industrialised. Originally intended purely for writing and printing purposes but craftspeople did not leave it there and they started using this ancient invention in their craftwork.

"The Significance of Paper" exhibition at Walford Mill Crafts will show the talent of crafts people and feature their magical creations made with handmade and recycled paper.

The makers who will take part in this fascinating exhibition will exhibit their craft work in different mediums including jewellery, kites, sculpture, framed pictures and books.

Fiona Wright, one of the exhibitors in this exhibition, works with recycled paper and turns it into fantastic jewellery including bracelets and necklaces. Fiona is inspired by the trees of its source and each of her unique piece tells a collection of stories: from those of the original newsprint and its readers, to those of its transformation into jewellery and the ultimate personal expression of the weaver's individuality.

Another craftsperson, Margaret Crossley, will be exhibiting her 3D animals also made from recycled paper with cut or torn fragments layered over a rolled-paper framework. Margaret keeps coming back to pigs as the subject in her work, searching for the expressive qualities, which make them either appealing, or possessed of formidable presence.

The Priest's House Museum in Wimborne will be kindly lending Walford Mill Crafts some Victorian Valentine's Cards for visitors to view from their wide collection especially for "The Significance of Paper" exhibition.

Local and national paper artists will be exhibiting their incredible craftwork in the Philip Goulden Gallery at Walford Mill Crafts in Wimborne from January 6 th until February 11 th 2007.

The craftwork in this exhibition will broaden visitors' views and will surprise them with the amazing amount of possibilities for use of paper.