'Paper and Print' is a new exhibition in the Arts and Culture Queen's Building display space which uncovers the fascinating stories which make up the history of paper-making in Exeter.
‘Paper and Print’ is a new exhibition at the University of Exeter Streatham campus which documents a community-led research project run by Double Elephant Print Workshop in partnership with Professor Nicola Thomas, Head of Geography at the University of Exeter.
Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, a team of 15 volunteer community researchers investigated the history of paper mills in Exeter and along the Exe and Culm rivers.
During their research they collected memories, oral histories and undertook archive, newspaper and census research. They visited mills and travelled to London archives to explore insurance papers. This research enabled them to rethink existing traces of paper history with new perspectives.
They pieced together what is less visible from many of Exeter’s paper histories - evidence of those who worked in mills: rag pickers living in the west quarter of Exeter; child apprentices, journeying paper-makers, industrial accidents, mill fires; and those in the 1800s who took their knowledge to the USA to set up paper mills or who came to Exeter from India to learn the trade.
The project also delivered a range of free community paper-making workshops in Exeter along the River Exe, through a partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust, who now manage some of the former mill sites.
For many paper historians, the history of paper stays close to the process of production, mill company history, and industrial architecture. The histories of paper-making in this exhibition have sought new directions in these established areas.
The resulting research blog is a rich resource of the discoveries, visualised in this exhibition by the illustrated Story Map of the mills. You can also view a beautiful array documentary photography from the project, and two artworks commissioned in response to the research - a fictional sound story by Ellen Wiles and embossed linocuts on paper by Juliette Losq.
We are really delighted to work with Ellen and Juliette who have both invested so much time and creative energy, using the research from the volunteer team to inspire their two new and very different artworks. These provide imaginative and immersive ways for the public to envisage this incredible part of Exeter’s history.
The culmination of the project will be celebrated at Positive Light Projects in Exeter from 8 – 15 February 2025 and will showcase Juliette Losq’s paper sculpture installation.
Professor Nicola Thomas will also be joined by members of the research team for an Evening Lecture at the Devon and Exeter Institution on 20th February (6pm – 7.30pm). Find out more and book here.
Double Elephant and Ellen Wiles will be hosting Paper Heron: a listening event + artist Q&A on Friday 7 February (7 – 8pm) at Positive Light Projects. Find out more and book here.
You can view ‘Paper and Print’ in the Arts and Culture, Queen’s Building display space (ground floor, west wing foyer, next to Queen’s Café) from 14 January – 28 March 2025. It is free to view and open to all.
University of Exeter
Room 153, Queen's Building
The Queen's Drive
Exeter EX4 4QH
