Untitled #11 c. 1980s

This delicate paper artwork was made by Joel Fisher, using the simple process of hand papermaking. The material itself is very important, and it influences what the artwork looks like. The texture is rough, and the color is creamy white. You can see the individual fibers that make up the paper. Fisher made this sheet by hand, likely using a mould and deckle to form the paper pulp into a sheet, couching the paper, pressing it, and then allowing it to dry. The single hair embedded in the paper's surface is the work's defining feature. The artist has engaged with traditional handcraft skills, and these belong to a long history of creative practices. Fisher’s choice of materials, and the ways in which the work is made, imbue it with social significance. There’s a lot of labor involved in the production process of papermaking, and this makes us think about the links between work, life, and art. This artwork questions distinctions between fine art and craft.