Abstract
M.Tech. (Fine Art)
Papermaking as an activity area at the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) was
initially introduced to equip fine art students with the basic knowledge and
skills required to produce their own handmade papers, primarily for printmaking
techniques. This need was identified through the fact that quality art
papers were only available on campus at an expense that aspiring students
could not afford. As the Papermaking Research and Development Unit
(PRDU) at TWR expanded, students were able to specialise in paper-based
research that targets certain issues that impact on and in our immediate environment.
One issue that took priority was to investigate the properties, use
and production of archival handmade papers to service local artists and students.
South Africa does not have an extensive indigenous history or tradition in
hand papermaking. It is a relatively new medium with little literature available
on the subject. Research has become necessary to understand the properties
of this medium in order to explore its various possibilities. This investigation
would be viable to the local marketand manufacturers of paper, as well as to
those who utilise paper in their creative activities.
The bulk of archival papers available on the South African market are currently
manufactured overseas and are imported to our country. With importing
costs and current exchange rates, this increases their price in the South
African market. The research specifically aims at producing a local handmade
equivalent to the imported product that will meet, or lower, the cost and
increase the availability of the product to the local market. Handmade papers
have many advantages to the artists that exceed mould-made papers, all of
which are investigated in this research.
The specific market had to be identified in order to streamline the research
possibilities and improve product potential. This market was identified as
papers for selected traditional printmaking techniques, such as silkscreening;
intaglio and relief processes.
The research thesis, once published, will provide a resource on the subject,
with specific application to a local situation. It will enable papermakers to further
understand the composition of their product, as well as expand on its use
and application.