Art comes out of its box

Jenny Mockett admires works by Christine Tyrer and Barb Adams. 167002_01

By Kath Gannaway

“Paper is …”, an exhibition of works by members of Papermakers of Victoria, is on show at Mont De Lancy throughout April.
The 49 works in the Valda Quick Paper Arts Exhibition range from the collection of ‘black box’ challenges in which the artists tell a story in a box, to framed pieces, wall-hangings and sculptural pieces.
Wandin paper artist Jenny Mockett looked over the exhibition last week and said visitors will be astounded at the quality, the ingenuity of the artists and the scope of what can be created with paper as the primary medium.
“It’s a craft, knowing how to make paper, but paper-making is very much an art-form and this is an exhibition of paper art,” she said.
The exhibition provides a window into the vast range of materials that can be used to create different effects, including vegetable and plant matter, and the creativity and imagination of the artists.
Among the works are pieces made from ginger lily paper chasmanthe pulp, agapanthus fibre and flax.
The range of colours using natural dyes is also astounding, particularly when used to create floral collages.
The group runs regular courses and demonstrations at the Mont De Lancey market and at The Stables Studio in Bundoora North.
Among several workshops coming up are mixed media collage on 29 April and Introduction to Papermaking on 6 May.
For more information on Papermakers of Victoria visit the exhibition on until 30 April or go to www.papermakers.org.au.
Mont De Lancey at 71 Wellington Road, Wandin North, is open from 10am to 4.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Phone 5964 2088.