Katherine Olson (October 2007)

The collages, by Minnesota artist Katherine W. Olson, present beautiful examples of creative re-use. Each sheet of paper is handmade from 100% cotton rag mat board remnants, collected from a local framer, and combined with materials from the natural world.

The exhibit provides a retrospective of Olson’s work, and is on display now, through mid-November.

“These collages of handmade paper with leaves, petals, twigs, roots and berries are a way of viewing the mystery of the natural world,” says Olson. “By emphasizing the beauty and intricacy of even a single leaf or root, I hope to encourage efforts to appreciate and preserve the earth we all need for life.” The paper she reuses is colored using natural materials including moss, beetroot, cabbage and tea. All the leaves, herbs and flowers are collected and pressed by the artist.

Olson’s work inspires us all to appreciate the beauty of our world, and spurs our imaginations. How can we creatively re-use the resources around us?