Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your practice?
I’m Lucy Baxandall, a hand papermaker working in 2D, 3D and artist’s books. I studied for an MFA in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts at Columbia College in Chicago. I make paper from recycled fabric and plant fibres, and also prepare pulp for other papermakers. A lot of my work references geological processes and the layering of memory and experience. I teach and also work with other artists who want to incorporate handmade paper into their projects. While I’m now based in London, I had a studio at Magdalen Road from 2007 until 2011 – two studios, in fact, as I was there for the big expansion into the Lightbulb Factory!
What are you currently working on?
I’m in a busy teaching patch at the moment, so doing a lot of preparation for courses. I’m planning a new 3D project and experimenting to find out which type of paper will work best for that. I’ve also got a book based around some family memoirs in the pipeline, but it’s taking a long time!
Do you have studio space elsewhere?
My current studio is at Kingsgate Workshops Trust in Kilburn, London. There are about 50 studios with 75 artists and makers, so a bit bigger than MRS.
What are your other (work) commitments if any?
I teach papermaking at Morley College, an adult education college near Waterloo, and have recently started working in their community outreach programme too. I also teach at West Dean College near Chichester, and other teaching engagements have ranged from Southampton to Lebanon! I used to be a language teacher in a past life, and still do occasional translation work.
How does being an associate at Magdalen road support your work?
I still have a lot of connections with Oxford and I enjoy keeping in touch with former studio-mates and meeting new people who have joined the studios. MRS was my first art community in the UK after a long time overseas and I much appreciated the support and friendship I found there. Of course, the opportunity to take part in the excellently organised exhibitions is a big plus!
What are you hoping to achieve over the next year?
I’m planning a group show for London-based paper artists, which will probably happen next spring. I’ll be teaching some new classes, including one on making paper vessels, which I’m really looking forward to. Kingsgate has a big selling event in November, so I need to stock up for that! I’ve got a load of new plant fibres waiting to be processed and documented, and I would love to fit in a residency at some point…we’ll see!
