Washi: The Art of Japanese Paper
For six weeks in 2013, Norwich is home to a festival of Japanese handmade paper, or washi. The Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) Gallery is showing two unique collections of historic and contemporary washi, demonstrating both continuity and change in this ancient tradition. The International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA) is also organising two exhibitions, at the Anteros Arts Foundation and Mandell’s Gallery. Paper artists around the world have been invited to submit work that embodies the essence of the Japanese papermaking heritage.
In parallel with these three exhibitions, there will be a one-day conference on Japanese paper on Saturday 16 March, to be held at NUA, several papermaking workshops, and a new book.These events offer a unique opportunity to view and engage with handmade papers from Japan and elsewhere. Norwich has much to offer in addition, as a well-preserved medieval city that boasts a fine cathedral, castle and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Although Norwich is an easy day trip from London and other cities, we hope visitors will extend their stay.
Exhibition
Washi: The Art of Japanese Paper
The Gallery at NUA will be showing two collections of international importance: the Parkes Collection (1869-70) from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the 21st century washi lent by the Washi:The Soul of Japan Committee in Kyoto. This is the first time either collection has been shown in the United Kingdom; both feature papers made with great skill and of exceptional beauty.
The Gallery at NUA, St George’s Street, Norwich NR3 1BB
12 March – 20 April 2013. Tuesday – Saturday, 12.00 – 17.00. Admission free.
Exhibition
The Art and Soul of Paper
Paper artists around the world respect and respond to the traditions of Japanese paper showing diversity and sensitivity in many paper forms. This is a unique opportunity to see global paper art trends in this country. The exhibition extends over three galleries, all very close to the Gallery at NUA.
Anteros Arts Foundation, 15 Fye Bridge Street, Norwich NR3 1LJ
11 March – 20 April 2013. Wednesday to Saturday, 10.00 – 17.00. Admission free. Café.
Mandell’s Gallery, Elm Hill, Norwich NR3 1HN
11 March – 6 April 2013. Monday – Saturday, 10.00am – 17.00. Admission free.
artshoproject, 1 Earlham House Shops, Earlham Road, Norwich NR2 3PD
Gallery talk with Tatiana Ginsberg
Sunday 17 March, 14.30.
Artist talk with Tatiana Ginsberg at Fusion in The Forum: “In Collaboration with Paper”
Monday 18 March, 19.00. Admission charged.
For more information, please visit:
Conference
Washi: The Art of Japanese Paper
Saturday 16 March 2013
Japanese handmade paper, or washi, represents more than 1400 years of craft traditions. Famous for its beauty and its strength, washi is both a practical material and an inspiration to artists worldwide. This conference provides a rare opportunity to learn about papermaking and paper history in Japan, and about the reception of washi in the West. It will be of interest to historians, conservators, artists and papermakers, as well as all who love the arts of Japan. The event forms part of a six-week festival of Japanese paper in Norwich, and the day includes private views of two special exhibitions, one on washi between 1870-2010 held at The Gallery at NUA, and one showing contemporary responses by paper artists to washi held at Anteros Arts Foundation.
Fee: £35 including lunch
Special rate of £55 for conference, papermaking workshop and papermaking demonstration
Booking: by 8th March; email name and title of event to washi@nua.ac.uk
Location: Norwich University of the Arts, Duke Street Lecture Theatre
Workshops
17 March 2013
The workshop demonstration will provide a very special opportunity to watch, first-hand, Japanese Masters of their craft at work. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Washi exhibition in the NUA Gallery. Spaces are limited and will be provided on a first come first served basis.
11.00 – 13.00 Demonstration
14.00 – 16.30 Workshop
30 spaces available for demonstration – £2.50 Fully booked.
10 spaces available for master class – £25 Fully booked.
Special Ticket price – £55 for Sypmosium, Papermaking Masterclass and Demonstration
Booking: by 8th March; email name and title of event to washi@nua.ac.uk
Location: Textiles Print Workshop room, Norwich University of the Arts
23 March 2013
Papermaking from Plants day class, with Prue Dobinson at Anteros Arts Foundation in central Norwich. Full day course 10am – 4pm.
Book via Anteros Arts Foundation
Book
Washi: The Art of Japanese Paper, a heavily illustrated full-colour book by Nancy Casserley, will be published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Nancy is a graduate of the History of Design MA at the Royal College of Art, curator of the NUA exhibition, and a research fellow at the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. The book will be available at The Gallery at NUA, and online from kewbooks.com
Organisation and contact details
These events are the result of a collaboration between Norwich University of the Arts, the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, the Economic Botany Collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Washi:The Soul of Japan Committee, Kyoto. In addition, we are very grateful to the Japan Foundation, Doshisha University and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation for financial support. If you have any queries, please email m.nesbitt@kew.org
Organisers and Sponsors
Norwich University of the Arts
The International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA)
Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
With support from:
Washi: The Soul of Japan Committee
All Japan Handmade Washi Association
The Fukui-ken Japanese Paper Industrial Co-operative(Echizen Washi)
Paper Museum
Special thanks to:
Ishikawa Michio
Uemura Yoshizo
Sakata Yoshie
Yamamoto Nobuyoshi
Tsuji Naohiko