I was honoured to be one of six artists in the recent exhibition Washi Sisters: A journey at Propeller Art Gallery. The six artists share a deep respect and understanding of the qualities of washi, although each artist has a distinct response and expression to showcase its beauty and versatility. Artists: Bunni Bresver, Sharon Dembo, Sharron Corrigan Forrest, Dominique Prévost, Susan Ruptash, Noriko Yamamoto Mentors and Muses: Nancy Jacobi and Victoria Cowen
My solo show Raw Material | Susan Ruptash runs at Propeller Art Gallery from November 24 to December 5. The works in Raw Material showcase the inherent and hidden qualities of Japanese washi through minimal interventions. The work is heavily process driven, derived from explorations of traditional Japanese techniques of altering washi for functional purposes. You can see the show at Propeller Art Gallery, 30 Abell Street, Toronto. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 1 – 5. You can …
Konnyaku is a starch made from the root of the Konjac or VooDoo Lily plant. Who wouldn’t like to work with something named ‘VooDoo Lily’? I first learned this technique from Linda Marshall of Washi Arts in a fabulous online workshop. One technique involves brushing the washi with prepared konnyaku, then repeatedly crumpling and kneading the washi to encourage the konnyaku to penetrate the fibres and strengthen the washi. The washi is allowed to dry and the process is repeated. …
Kakishibu is a tannin made from fermented unripe persimmons. It is traditionally used as a treatment to make washi more waterproof, improve surface durability. It is used functionally to make cushions, clothing and umbrellas, stiff katagami stencils for making stencilled fabrics and katazome-shi stencil dyed papers. One of its many interesting qualities is that washi that that has been treated with kakishibu will continue to alter and darken for many months, so the final appearance is not entirely within my …
Sekishu-banshi Tsuru is a stunningly gorgeous washi. Extremely lightweight at 25 grams, it is nevertheless incredibly strong, due to long Kozo fibres, masterful making, and the inclusion of the long tough fibres from the inner bark. This also gives it a beautiful slight green tinge. Unbleached and unsized, it has a wonderfully crisp finish on the side where it was dried on a board and a soft puffy texture on the other side. I was first introduced to this washi …