i love papier mache. but i think it's gotten a bad rap. a couple of years ago i was doing some research at a famous craft library and when i asked the librarian if they had anything on papier mache he looked at me like i was nuts and was gave me a slightly snotty "no" for an answer. granted this was an institution whose focus is more towards fine crafts but it's not like i was asked if he had anything on crocheted toilet paper cozies. but i got the feeling he was lumping it into the same category.
there are some amazing artists/makers/crafters working in papier mache today. just the other day ann wood posted a beautiful tutorial on how she makes her teacups. i am also a huge fan of katie steuernagle who i first became aware of when she did papier mache on martha. katie lent her talents to a project for my upcoming book (in which you will find an entire chapter on papier mache).
pictured here are a few of my influences (from top to bottom): an ad from an early 60s mexican publication featuring the work of gemma taccogna, an image featuring a vast array of enid collins' papier mache accessories and a tearsheet from a mid 60's women's day magazine.
so today marks the beginning of my campaign to help return papier mache to its rightful place as a respected craft medium. i have dabbled in papier mache myself, but i now need to make a commitment to make time to make more of it.
(gemma ad via a google image search, enid image via ebay and the women's day magazine is from my collection)
