I make collections of tiny envelopes using different kinds of papers including Japanese hand-printed papers, maps, books, music, chocolate wrappers and old postcards.
I’m interested in how we communicate and how that has changed over the years. Handwritten letters from friends used to arrive in envelopes, but now it’s mostly bills and bumph. The collections are also inspired by my interest in insects. I used to be fascinated by collections of beetles in museum cases and my envelope collections reflect this.
I make all the envelopes by hand, drawing the shapes from a handmade template and cutting them out with scissors. I then fold and stick them. I select the collections and then assemble them before I decide which envelopes are going to be stuck down and which ones are going to be opened. I work closely with my framer as the frame is an important part of each piece.
I recently made a series of collections using love letters written during the Second World War. I'm working with old postcards at the moment. The messages that people write are fascinating; from declarations of love to instructions to pay a bill. I found one which just said: “Everything as normal at this end – ”.
Find out more about where Gillian is exhibiting her work
page last updated: 28-Jun-2009 18:37