Paper of Weeds

Weeds to Paper exhibition at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery

On November Friday November 28 at 5:30 pm, a group of artists who met through their interest in the environment will be showing artwork all made from environmental weeds. Paper maker Zela Bissett initiated this project after working with conservation volunteer organisation FIDO removing weeds from native bushland.

“The high-volume grasses like green panic and stalky plants like papyrus contain a lot of cellulose and this makes them suitable for papermaking,” said Zela. Other plants are also useful for either decorating or adding colour and texture to the paper. For example, paper bark was added to one batch which gave a warm brown fleck to the resultant paper sheets. In the exhibition visitors will be able to see the handmade botanical weed paper used in a variety of projects including artist books, wall hangings, individual artworks and three-dimensional forms.

The project was funded by the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s RADF scheme. It aimed to allow local participants to gain new skills and enable the production of new original artwork.

It aimed to involve local artists and conservation volunteers in a program which allowed them to take part in a Reconciliation project united by the ethic of Caring For Country.

By using materials gathered in the region, Weeds to Paper promotes the role of the arts in building a strong sense of place through protecting natural ecosystems.

Everyone is welcome to the opening on Friday evening November the 28th and also at the artists talk and tour the following morning Saturday the 29^th. Both are free of charge but registration is necessary. There will be a workshop on learning how to make the botanical paper from weeds on that afternoon from 1:00 PM till 3:00 PM. Contact April on (07) 4197 4206 at the gallery to book in. The exhibition will run until February 2026.