Helen Hiebert Workshops
US-based master papermaker and paper artist Helen Hiebert was the international tutor for Paper on Skin™ 2024.
Helen is a Colorado artist who constructs installations, sculptures, films, artists’ books and works in paper using handmade paper as her primary medium. She teaches, lectures and exhibits her work internationally and online, and is the author of the several how-to books about papermaking and papercrafts.
Helen has an extensive network of paper colleagues around the world, and her interest in how things are made (from paper) keeps her up-to-date on current paper trends, which she writes about in her weekly blog called The Sunday Paper. She interviews papermakers and paper artists on her podcast Paper Talk, and she holds papermaking master classes in her Red Cliff studio.
Helen also generously agreed to be a guest judge for the Awagami Paper Award. This award was won by Cios-Jonas, Elżbieta (Poland) for her thought-provoking work Stitch for future.
This workshop has been assisted through arts Tasmania, via the Artsbridge program. We also thank our major partner, Devonport City Council, and venue partner RANT Arts for their support.
Gallery
The Workshops
The workshops were attended by passionate paper devotees. Participants included international guests and Paper on Skin™ finalists. It was a busy few days filled with shared learning, beautiful creations and meaningful connections with like-minded artists.
Thank you Helen for your dedication, generosity and inspired approach to teaching!
WORKSHOP 1 (two-day workshop)
Bend, Form, Sculpt
- Expand knowledge of how to add structure to paper (with garment-making in mind)
- Practical instruction in making bendable paper (embedding string and wire between sheets); attaching paper panels in multiple ways (stitching, glueing, and using alternative attachments)
- Develop understanding of technical processes of glues, papers and attaching methods
- Take home a variety of samples and small, dimensional forms
WORKSHOP 2 (one -day workshop)
Pleat, Crumple, Connect – 24th Sept
- Learn about momigami (the art of paper crumpling and a variety of pleating methods)
- Delve into processes using konnyaku to treat a variety of papers and pleating paper in a variety of ways
- Practical instruction coating paper with konnyaku and crumpling it; folding pleats and gluing or stitching them; slipping structural materials (reed, skewers, string or wire) into the pleats for further possibilities.
- Develop understanding of technical processes using konnyaku, working with a variety of papers and attaching methods.
- Take home a variety of samples and small, dimensional forms