secrets in paper
June 21, 2011
the paper is cut and torn into a continuous thread
and carefully piled into a basket so it doesn’t tangle as I spin.
it was interesting to see how the ink pattern developed leaving the words completely obscure.
this is kozo paper, cut at .3 of a mm and makes a strong thread a little finer than 2/8 cotton
2 ply paper and silk yarn, the paper was cut and spun many years ago while I was at Kawashima, it is very soft, fine and fragile. The silk has given it strength, it is approximately a 2/16 weight.
The background fabric is a handwoven monks belt pattern furoshiki (wrapping cloth), indigo dyed.
5 Comments
leave one →
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com u 
I’m an author of three textile art books and am contemplating writing my 4th – on paper-yarn and shifu. The book would be non-academic and consist of an Introduction and brief profiles of contemporary artists along with photos of their artwork.
Would you be interested in contributing to this project? If so, can you please send a sample or two either as an attachment or in the body of your email.
I have a publisher, Schiffer, who makes beautiful coffee table books.
Please let me know if you might be interested in joining me for this project or if you know of any shifu or paper yarn artists.
Thanks so much!
Kind Regards,
Andra Stanton
Author, How Art Heals (Schiffer 2021); Dimensional Cloth: Sculpture by Contemporary Textile Artists (Schiffer 2018); Zapotec Weavers of Teotitlan (Museum of New Mexico Press 1999)
http://www.andrastanton.com
andystanton@comcast.net
LikeLike
Andra – I would be interested but need to know more and don’t use any of the reply options that you have provided.I choose to keep a low profile on the internet. You can contact me by email at mjbetts@telus.net<ins
LikeLike
it’s so beautiful, jean, i’m going to risk using up my ledger. heather, i tried pattern paper, it’s not as strong as i though it would be.
LikeLike
I think the sewing pattern idea is one of thoses quicky, crafty western ideas for folks who want to try shifu. It doesn’t resemble the yarn made from washi/handmade paper. Museum conservators that I have talked to say printing ink can be caustic and over time self destruct. I am trying to find a reliable Japanese source of good paper. When I emailed the Japanese Paper Place in Toronto they replied that they had dozens of papers. Of course that is true but even in Japan there are not many choices of paper made specifically for shifu. They didn’t seem interested in recommending some of the choices. When I go to Vancouver I’ll take some samples and see if Paper-ya can help.
LikeLike
Wow, I have got to try this. A recent issue of Spin Off suggested using sewing pattern tissue (apparently made with abaca), which I have tons of on hand so I will give it a go. Your shifu is gorgeous.
LikeLike