FlaxPaperLab: Crafting Art & Currency with Flax

Written By Digital Officer

Flax, an ancient and versatile plant, has played a significant role in human history, from being used to make textiles to being incorporated into the production of banknotes. Today, a creative initiative called FlaxPaperLab seeks to bring together artists, artisans, and flax producers to revive interest in flax pulp and paper, while fostering a sense of community and sustainability.

In collaboration with the Northern Ireland Linen Biennial 2023, FlaxPaperLab aims to create a new flax currency while promoting the return of industrial and artisanal flax production in various regions.

 
 
 

The Flax Paper Lab at Flax Arts Studios

On August 6, 2023, the Flax Paper Lab will be holding a hands-on workshop at Flax Arts Studios located at 29 Bedford Street. The workshop will be limited to 6-8 people, ensuring an intimate and engaging experience. Participants will have the opportunity to make linen paper from flax fibers that have been expertly turned into pulp at the Pulp Paper Arts Workshop in Glasgow. The materials used in the workshop will include Northern Irish flax from Mallon Linen in Cookstown, as well as Scottish flax and linen rag pulp.

Under the guidance of skilled instructors, attendees will learn how to create regular sheets of flax using different molds and the process of drying the handmade sheets. The paper will be dried in the studio and subsequently delivered to the print workshop in Belfast, where it will be put to further artistic use.

 

Flax Paper Presentation at BPW

On August 15, 2023, the Flax Paper Lab will be presenting a fascinating showcase of handmade paper made from flax or linen at the Belfast Print Workshop. The presentation will include an exploration of short tow, a by-product of processing retted flax into a spinnable fiber. This versatile material can be transformed into paper pulp using a Hollander beater.

During the presentation, attendees will gain insights into the process of preparing and processing flax and linen fibers to make paper pulp.

Various handmade sheets of flax paper from Tidekettle Paper in Berwick upon Tweed, Pulp Paper Arts Workshop in Glasgow, Paper-foundation in Burneside, Cumbria, and artist Cecilia Stephens from Portaferry will be showcased. Participants will also have the opportunity to make a small paper sample to take home, and are encouraged to bring a cookie cutter or an empty tuna can to enhance their experience.

 

Flax Paper Lab at Flax Arts Studios (Round 2)

For those who missed the first opportunity, the Flax Paper Lab will be holding another workshop on August 17, 2023. This time, participants will engage in making flax paper from flax fibers processed at the Pulp Paper Arts Workshop in Glasgow, as well as Northern Irish flax from Mallon Linen in Cookstown, and Scottish flax and linen fiber pulp. The workshop will delve deeper into the art of creating regular flax paper sheets using different molds, while also exploring layering techniques to create formal compositions or unique book covers.

Attendees are welcome to bring linen yarn or bits of plants, paper, and fabrics they wish to include in their creations. Like the previous session, the paper will dry in the studio and can be collected from the printmaking workshop in Belfast at a later date.

 

FlaxPaperLab's Vision

At its core, FlaxPaperLab aims to rekindle interest in flax pulp and paper and promote the resurgence of both industrial and artisanal flax production in regions such as the North of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Moreover, the initiative seeks to establish a collaborative and creative community that fosters shared experiences between flax producers, papermakers, printers, and artists' studios.

FlaxPaperLab's mission to combine artistry with sustainability through the medium of flax is a captivating endeavor. By showcasing the artistic potential of waste flax materials and inviting collaboration across regions, the initiative is not only reviving interest in traditional crafts but also laying the foundation for a stronger creative community.

 

If you're passionate about art, sustainable practices, and the cultural significance of flax, don't miss the chance to participate in the upcoming FlaxPaperLab workshops and presentations.

 

The Linen Biennale has been made possible by funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland.

 
 
Digital Officer https://bpw.org.uk
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