Root - 1, kozo fiber on handmade washi, 14 x 18 in, 2021
Root - 2, kozo fiber on handmade washi, 14 x 18 in, 2021
Root - 3, kozo fiber on handmade washi, 14 x 18 in, 2021
Root 1/2/3 are handmade washi papers created using Kozo fiber. I began with raw Japanese Kozo and used a series of cooking, beating, and filtering procedures to turn it into washi paper. Then, I placed unmixed fiber on the drained washi and allowed them to mix together naturally as they air-dried. This process imbues the paper with a new layer of meaning, transforming it from a mere canvas for art to a work of art in its own right.
The beauty of nature has long been celebrated in Chinese and Japanese cultures, and the creation of handmade washi paper that incorporates natural Kozo fiber inspired me to explore the possibilities of art through natural phenomena. This inspiration led me to create the Root series, which celebrates the natural world and the artistry that can be found within it.