On reflection, the wicker frames I had created in response to the natural organic twisted wood images were not as successful as I would have hoped, although I like the structures and like the control I have over the wicker due to its flexibility. I find the forms are too rigid for me and the forms did not resemble inspiration from natural forms. The fragile fibrous nature of the paper was lost due to the use of pva glue (if I were to do this again I would use a more natural binder or glue to make it more sustainable and environmentally friendly, in theory the paper would then be decomposable) making them shiny.
The paper I had used for these forms was hand made paper used with recycled and reclaimed cartridge paper, making quite heavy thick paper, this became quite rigid when manipulated with glue and flimsy when wet as the fibre structure is quite weak.
To rectify this, I want to abandon the wicker form idea and focus on perfecting and experimenting with the paper making as well as exploring alternative forming with paper.
Moving Forward I want to focus on the natural form as my inspiration further expanding on the connection my work and my found materials have with the New forest.
Lara Hoad Artist Designer: Maker 