Caithness artist Joanne Kaar had no idea that a simple search for a sugeta - an Oriental papermaking frame – would lead to an astonishing opportunity to spend six months as artist-in-residence at the Chaoyang University of Technology in Taiwan. 

It began when Joanne, who specialises in papermaking and bookbinding, was researching her book ‘Papermaking and Bookbinding Coastal Inspirations’.  Looking for information, she had contacted Hui Fang Lee, a professor at the university in Taiwan, who she had met at Manchester University when they were both studying for a Master of Arts Degree.   

When her book was published Joanne sent a copy to the university and as a result they invited her to apply for an artist-in-residence position.  This proved to be a complicated process involving many committees and she had to send actual pieces of work for them to see. In June last year she heard that she has been accepted and she raised funding through a professional development grant from the Scottish Arts Council with the rest funded by the university in Taiwan.

During her time at the university, which finishes in December this year, Joanne will learn the skills of traditional eastern papermaking with the Kuang Shing Paper Company in Puli and learn eastern bookbinding with university researcher Lin Chang Ching.  She is particularly looking forward to discovering more about the philosophy and traditions behind eastern papermaking which influences everything from colour and stitching to the number of stitch holes.  This ‘cultural exchange’ also gives her an opportunity to teach her skills to the students and staff with the assistance of translators arranged by the university.

Joanne uses traditional western techniques for her papermaking which are very different to the style she will encounter in Taiwan.  The equipment she uses is called a mould and deckle with a fixed rigid mesh on the mould so it works in the same way as a sieve. 

In eastern style papermaking they use a flexible bamboo mat (su) which is trapped in a hinged deckle frame (keta) and used together they are called a sugeta.  Paper is formed by layers of long plant fibres, gradually built up using a repeated wave action when the sugeta is dipped in the vat, and excess pulp and water are thrown from the top. 

As well as exchanging skills Joanne will participate in international events on paper and related arts which will allow her to exhibit some of her work and lecture on watermark techniques which she learned from a company in Dyce.

Information on her work and techniques can be found on her website at www.joannebkaar.com along with details on where to buy her book.

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