Artist of the Month
Hanging up for display are a kimono, jacket and other pieces of clothing crafted entirely from paper.
Susan Byrd was named the Bella Vista Arts Council’s artist of the month for August and her work is on display at the Artist Retreat Center.
“It’s an honor,” Byrd said. “I appreciate it very much.”
Byrd’s work on display includes reclaimed-art collages, photography and shifu — fabric made from washi, or Japanese paper.
The paper can be used to make yarn, threads and textiles, she explained, and it’s possible because of the unique paper, which has long, strong fibers and comes in thin sheets that can be cut into long strings and wound into strong threads.
The final product is wearable and washable, she said — and washing it is important because it changes the structure slightly, making the fabric softer and more pleasant to wear.
Typically, she said, shifu garments will be colored with natural dyes.
It was common in the Edo period, she said, an era in Japanese history which lasted from 1603 to 1868, ending with the Meiji restoration.
In this era, she said, Japan had little contact with the outside world and it wasn’t uncommon for shifu clothing to be recycled.
“There’s very little actually written about shifu, much less in English,” Byrd said.
It fell out of favor, she explained, though there was a revival in the early 1900s and more recently, though there are still very few practitioners and they are spread around the world.
There are active weaving communities in Nepal and the Philippines, she said.
Byrd said she earned her degree in painting and was originally interested in Chinese art. She initially planned a trip to China after graduating, she explained; but the summer before, she took a workshop on making washi and was hooked immediately.
Her plans changed and, during her trip to Japan, Byrd came to study with shifu master Sadako Sakurai.
Byrd said she’s been weaving ever since. In 2013, she wrote an award-winning book, “A Song of Praise for Shifu.” Byrd is also an administrator on a Facebook group, Paper Threads, Yarns and Textiles.
Mayor Peter Christie presented Byrd with the award.
Christie said that he was fascinated by her work — particularly by the thought of washable paper clothing — and glad to see this kind of talent in Bella Vista.
“This is very, very unique,” he said. “Most of us would never have dreamed of getting on a plane to Japan and sitting down with a master to learn something as interesting as this.”
Demara Titzer, who is on the selection committee, said she was glad to see Byrd’s work.
“It’s amazing because you don’t typically see this kind of technique in this part of the country,” she said.
Arts council member Terry Wilson said it’s important for the council to highlight different kinds of artists in Bella Vista.
“We really like what she’s done,” he said.
Byrd said she enjoyed showing off her work and discussing it with those who showed up for the reception last Wednesday.
“It’s an honor to be here and share this with you,” she said.