WHSPR was born on screen, but it didn’t go straight to paper. I turned off the atelier lights, and projected the image through a translucent membrane, an optical buffer that diffused the signal and loosened the pixel grid. Clinical sharpness gave way to the physics of passage.
Printed by the artist on thick, handmade kozo washi, it reads as an object first, and a print second.
The soul is where the light lives.
Paper: 42 × 59.4 cm (16.5 × 23.4")
Image: 33 × 44 cm (13 × 17.3")
Edition: 5 (+1 artist proof retained by the artist)
Printed by the artist with Epson UltraChrome archival pigment inks on thick, handmade 300 gsm kozo (mulberry) washi, formed sheet by sheet using the slow-vat Tamezuki method. The sheet has visible thickness and a natural rigidity. It holds its shape when handled. Long kozo fibres add strength, and the matte surface holds remarkable depth without glare. Left untrimmed with a natural four-sided deckled edge, it reads as an object first, and a print second.
Please note that digital screens cannot perfectly replicate physical pigments; the print itself is the definitive reference for color and texture. Subtle variations in character are inherent.
The work ships flat. Do not roll.
The sheet is intentionally left untrimmed. Treat the deckle as part of the work.
Handling
- Use clean, lint-free cotton gloves.
- Avoid touching the image area.
- Lift with two hands and keep the sheet flat while moving.
- The deckled edge is delicate. Take care not to catch it on corners, mounts, or glazing.
Framing
- Frame without trimming.
- Ensure an air gap so the print does not touch the glazing. Use spacers or an appropriate mount package to create separation.
Mounting (Archival and Reversible Only)
- If available, use torn kozo paper hinges with wheat starch paste.
- Mount to a museum-grade cotton rag backing board.
- Do not dry mount, heat mount, spray mount, or use pressure-sensitive tapes or full-surface adhesives.
- For a visible deckle, float mount with minimal hinging, typically along the top edge, allowing the sheet to move naturally with humidity.
- If using a window mount, hinge the sheet first and ensure the mount does not compress or flatten the deckled edge.
Care
- Do not use liquids, cleaning agents, or compressed air.
- If dusting is necessary, use a very soft anti-static brush with minimal contact, avoiding the image area.
