18627028 e020251df11118b0c9e8445451587237 julietguiness http://gravatar.com/julietguiness julietguiness http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e020251df11118b0c9e8445451587237 http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/e020251df11118b0c9e8445451587237 thumbnail julietguiness I am currently undertaking a Masters Degree at The University of Hertfordshire, having been awarded a BA Honours Degree in 2010. I have a paediatric and special needs nursing background. In my current practice I have been exploring paper’s phenomenal qualities and it’s potential as a medium. I am fascinated by the history of paper and it’s role in recording so much of our lives, despite the dawn of the ‘paperless society’ paper remains an everyday part of human life, and its many qualities including that of ephemerality and vulnerability have a strong resonance with human experience; ideas have evolved from my experiences and predominantly what has emerged have been ideas drawn from my nursing background, my knowledge of biology, working in a children’s plastic surgery unit, and working in a children’s hospice. My work is often very minimal and contemplative, it becomes about 'touch' I transform the paper’s surface through various means, working with white or natural paper and relying on light and cast shadow to add to the surface or by using cuts, stitch or burn marks to draw a line. Deconstructing and then reconstructing the surface of the paper gives it a history, and makes a once perfect surface imperfect, the past becomes enmeshed in the present and the surface is repaired or ‘healed’ in some way. Ultimately I hope the work conveys a quiet sense of vulnerability and strength. http://www.japanesepaperplace.com http://www.thepapertrail.org.uk/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=776 http://www.julietguiness.com http://www.pleatfarm.com/