Why I Work with Recycled Paper

Every sheet of reclaimed paper has already lived one life before it reaches my studio.

Whenever someone asks what my sculptures are made from, my answer is almost always the same: recycled paper. It sounds like a practical choice, perhaps even an environmental one, but for me the attraction goes much deeper than sustainability. I'm drawn to papers that have already lived a life. Old books, maps, envelopes and handwritten letters all carry traces of the people who once held them. Those quiet marks of use become part of the story each sculpture tells.

Working with reclaimed paper encourages me to look more carefully. Just as I spend time observing the details of a plant or insect before I begin making, I enjoy discovering the character hidden within each sheet of paper. A faded line of text, the crease of a folded map or the worn edge of a page can all influence the finished piece.

Two leaf insects made out of an entomology books pages.

Finding beauty in overlooked materials

Nature constantly reminds us that beauty is often found in unexpected places. A fallen leaf, a weathered seed head or the delicate wing of a moth can easily be overlooked until we pause and really pay attention to it. I see recycled paper in much the same way. Materials that might otherwise be discarded still have something to offer. Rather than hiding their history, I like to celebrate it. The printed words, aged colours and subtle imperfections remain visible, adding depth and individuality that new paper could never quite replicate. Each sculpture becomes a meeting point between two stories: the natural subject that inspired it and the history carried by the paper itself.

Choosing the right paper

Over the years I've collected papers from many different sources. Vintage books, old maps, music scores, envelopes and handmade papers all find their way into my studio. Each has its own texture, weight and personality, and choosing the right paper has become as much a part of the creative process as drawing or cutting.

Sometimes a delicate botanical study calls for the soft, warm tones of an ageing book page. At other times the fine lines of a map or the subtle pattern of handmade paper brings another layer of meaning to the work. I rarely begin with a fixed idea of which paper I will use. Instead, I spend time looking, comparing and allowing the material itself to suggest possibilities.

Paper autumn leaves before they get a coat of paint

Recycled Paper is more than a sustainable material

Using recycled paper is, of course, a more sustainable way to create than relying entirely on newly manufactured materials. But sustainability is only one part of the story. What interests me most is the idea that materials, like landscapes and living things, hold memories. Every crease, stain and handwritten note speaks of a previous life. Rather than erasing those traces, I try to weave them into something new. This way of working reflects the themes that run through all of my practice: careful observation, hidden connections and the stories that emerge when we slow down and pay attention.

Looking more closely

Creating with recycled paper has changed the way I see the world. It has taught me that remarkable things are often hidden in places we pass every day, waiting for someone to notice them. The same curiosity that leads me to study a wildflower, or the intricate marking on an insect, also shapes the way I collect materials. Both invite us to slow down, look carefully and discover value in what might otherwise be overlooked.

Every sheet of reclaimed paper carries evidence of where it has been. By bringing those materials together with the plants, insects and landscapes that inspire my work, each sculpture becomes not only a celebration of the natural world, but also a reminder that beauty and meaning can be found in the things we choose to notice.

If you'd like to see how these reclaimed materials become finished sculptures, you can explore my portfolio or learn more about commissioning an original artwork inspired by a place, species or personal story.