BARK RHYTHMS:
Contemporary Innovations & Ancestral Traditions
October 4–October 26, 2024, at Niza Knoll Gallery
Artist Reception: Friday, October 18, 6-8:30 pm.
Regular business hours: Thursday–Sunday 1-4 pm
Bark paper and barkcloth are age-old traditions deeply rooted in cultures across the globe, yet they are frequently overlooked by modern society. These ancient practices involve beating the cooked or fermented inner bark off of certain trees, most commonly Mulberry and Ficus, with a hand-held beater made from stone, wood, or metal. Drawing connections between bark paper and barkcloth, Bark Rhythms shines a light on contemporary makers who maintain a deep respect for these materials, tools, and cultural origins. This exhibition delves into bark traditions from Indonesia, Hawai‘i, the Polynesian Islands, Mexico, and Central Africa.
These are not traditions lost to history; these are living, breathing practices with contemporary artists actively bridging the past and the future. Exploring the world of bark paper and barkcloth unveils a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, artistic innovation, and sustainable craftsmanship, offering valuable insights into our shared human history.
CONFERENCE
This exhibition coincides with the national conference of hand papermakers, located in Denver Colorado in October 2024. The co-curators, Jill Powers and Lisa Miles will be giving a presentation at the conference, featuring video participation of the exhibition artists from around the world. https://www.northamericanhandpapermakers.org/new-altitudes
RECORDED PANEL DISCUSSIONS
The RCW Museum of Papermaking hosted three panel discussions with artists from the exhibitions in the summer of 2024. Recordings of these panels are available online at https://paper.gatech.edu/bark-rhythms-contemporary-innovations-ancestral-traditions
CATALOG
The Bark Rhythm exhibition is documented along with accompanying essays in a catalog, to be published in late 2024. This represents the most recent scholarship on the connections between bark paper and bark cloth traditions, and is an essential element to libraries and personal collections of books on this subject. Order the catalog through North American Hand Papermakers website. https://www.northamericanhandpapermakers.org/contact
Niza Knoll Gallery
915 Santa Fe Drive, Denver CO 80204
Located in Denver’s vibrant Art District on Santa Fe. www.nizaknollgallery.com
