Ebb and Flow: an Exhibition of Hand Papermaking and Installation by Megan Singleton and May Babcock
This past fall, I was happy to work with my friend and artist Megan Singleton on a hand papermaking exhibition, which included two new collaborative works. Ebb and Flow was on display at the M.G. Nelson Family Gallery at the Springfield Art Association in Springfield, IL from September to October 2016.
The exhibition was inspired by joint research in dendritic waterways and aquatic plants found in the Midwest and Northeast landscape.
The maps of the Missouri, Mississippi, and Blackstone watersheds were the inspiration for the new collaborative wall installation, Ebb & Flow, in not only how it shapes the gallery space and the viewer’s experience of it, but in the imagery and paper pulp used.
Ebb & Flow uses several blends of handmade paper pulp which incorporate Mississippi River mud, abaca, cotton, and American lotus. The installation was approximately 25 feet long by 10 feet tall.
Megan Singleton, Rio Grande, Artist Book Pulp Painting, Kozo on Handmade Paper of Cotton and River Sediment, Wax, 5.5” X 6’ X 2, 2016
Megan Singleton, Collection Site: Lake 34: 1 ,Archival Print on Handmade Paper of Giant Bur-Reed and Abaca, 18” X 24”, 2016
May Babcock, Mission Espada, San Antonio, Texas, Paper Pulp Painting, 64″ x 36″, 2012
Megan Singleton, Nelumbonaceae, Handmade Paper of American Lotus and Abaca, Steel, Concrete, 17 Sculptures Dimensions variable, 2016
These kinetic sculptures interpret the American Lotus plant, designated a “nuisance” by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The sculptures depict the color pallet of the plants as they begin to desiccate in fall as the ponds water recedes. They gently sway on the steel bases.
Megan Singleton and May Babcock, Confluence, Handmade Paper Pulp from Mississippi River Mud, Sand, Abaca, Cotton, Maple Tree Roots, Triptych 8′ X 6′, 2016
I look forward to continue collaborating with Megan on future paper projects!
For now, check out some previous installations we’ve created, include Channels and Passing Notes.
