Palmer Museum unfolds contemporary exhibition on the ancient medium of paper

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Even in this digital age, paper surrounds us, and yet it is often overlooked or discarded. A new special exhibition that recently opened at the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State invites us to look more closely at paper and to ponder its connection to the natural world. "Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper" opened June 7 and repurposes paper from a humble, everyday material into a vital artistic material through highly textured two-dimensional works, expressive sculptures, and dramatic installations that explore the astonishing potential of this traditional medium.  

For more than 1,000 years, Japan has produced some of the world’s finest paper, using strong natural fibers and exceptional production techniques passed down through the generations. This handmade paper, known as "washi," was first utilized as a support for writing but was quickly adapted for additional purposes, including the making of art, said Patrick McGrady, Charles V. Hallman Senior Curator. 

“In 'Washi Transformed,' the nine artists included represent diverse contemporary approaches that reflect the many uses of paper in Japan over the last 1,500 years,” McGrady said. 

Washi is still made in some areas of Japan and is used in painting, calligraphy, origami and other traditional art forms, but now, contemporary Japanese artists have been turning to it in their works. The supple yet sturdy substance is made and used as a versatile medium with techniques ranging from layering, weaving and dying to twisting, folding and cutting that demonstrate the endless contemporary applications of this ancient natural material. 

Each artist — Hina Aoyama, Eriko Horiki, Kyoko Ibe, Yoshio Ikezaki, Kakuko Ishii, Yuko Kimura, Yuko Nishimura, Takaaki Tanaka and Ayomi Yoshida — embraces the seemingly infinite possibilities of washi, underscoring the unique stature this age-old art form has earned in the realm of international contemporary art. They push the boundaries of Japanese washi art in terms of texture, dimension and scale, creating organic, nature-inspired works that challenge assumptions about the nature of paper.

“Most visitors envision paper as a 2D medium, framed and hung on walls,” said Eva Thornton, chief preparator at the Palmer. “The works on display in 'Washi Transformed' demonstrate the vast sculptural possibilities of paper and the remarkable stability of paper fibers. Its composition can be so substantial in one moment that it resembles stone, yet when molded into a fine skin, light can pass through it,” she said.

The abstract sculptures, lyrical folding screens, incredible installations and fiber-defying pieces in the exhibition all demonstrate the resilience, versatility and artistic potential of paper as a contemporary medium, even after a millennium, especially in their mimicry of natural forms like webs, sea creatures, starbursts and more. 

"This exhibition has a little something for everyone, whether you’re an art lover, nature lover or simply someone who appreciates beautifully crafted objects," said Joyce Robinson, interim director of the Palmer Museum of Art. "It’s the perfect complement to a leisurely stroll through the Arboretum on a summer afternoon." 

In fact, visitors to the Palmer Museum who want to expand their knowledge of paper also can attend a slate of programs and activities related to the exhibition, including walking through the Arboretum’s H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens to discover some of the plants traditionally used in the making of washi. Exploring the natural materials behind the artworks is a great way to add to the enjoyment of this spectacular exhibition and remember and appreciate the deep connection between art and its nature-inspired forms. Click here for more information on the washi connection at the Arboretum.

"Washi Transformed" closes at the Palmer on Sunday, July 27. The breathtaking creativity of the vision in the exhibition deepens our understanding of how the past informs the present, and how it can build lasting cultural bridges out of something as seemingly simple and ephemeral as paper.

"Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper" was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C. Its presentation at the Palmer was overseen by Patrick McGrady, Charles V. Hallman Senior Curator. Support for this exhibition is provided in part by Palmer Museum of Art Sandstone Members. A 96-page companion book published by International Arts & Artists and Scala Arts Publishers is available. 

After the Palmer Museum, the exhibition will travel to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts in Kalamazoo, Michigan (Oct. 4, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026); and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului, Hawaii (Feb. 26, 2026 – May 26, 2026). 

Related programs 

'Rock, Paper, Scissors' Community Day: Paper Play at the Palmer 

 Saturday, June 21 | noon to 4 p.m. 

Spend a summer day at the Palmer Museum and Arboretum and enjoy a variety of activities indoors and out. Cave Day at the Arboretum runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for everyone devoted to playing “rocks.” Meanwhile, “paper” and “scissors” will be active at the Palmer with a variety of creative, hands-on activities inspired by the special exhibition "Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper." From noon to 4 p.m., visitors of all ages are invited to explore the art of paper through cutting and sculpture activities. Local artist Chris Smith will be sharing techniques and sparking creativity throughout the afternoon. Drop-in, no advanced registration required. 

Curator Connections Workshop: Paper History 

Wednesday, June 25 | 3 to 5 p.m. 

Join Patrick McGrady, Charles V. Hallman Senior Curator and works on paper specialist, for an in-depth, object study session about the history of paper and its use as an artistic medium. Enjoy learning from works in the collection, including items that may be handled by participants. Visit our Workshops page for more information or register here for the "Paper History" workshop. 

Artist Talk: Washi Artist Yuko Kimura 

Thursday, June 26 | 6 p.m. 

Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Galleries 

Join printmaker and paper artist Yuko Kimura for an in-gallery talk on her works in special exhibition "Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper." Kimura’s work incorporates experimental processes, including etching, aquatint, monotype, indigo dye and cyanotype on pleated, stitched or twisted paper, and often features handmade papers or old book pages from Japan. 

Drop-in Tour: The Art of Making 

Saturday, June 28 | 2 p.m. 

Start in the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Lobby 

Drop in and discover the Palmer’s world-class collections and exhibitions with a friendly and knowledgeable museum guide. 

Art After Hours: Creative Transformations 

Thursday, July 24 | Free, drop-in, 5 to 8 p.m. 

Take a break during the summer session and LEAP over to the museum to exercise your creativity! Explore the special exhibition "Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper" for inspiration before making your own folded paper sculpture. Transform your in-gallery experience of Washi and permanent collection installations with an Artify tour that pairs art and music. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Paper Workshop: It's a Wrap! 

Thursday, July 31 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Join instructor Brandi Breslin to transform ordinary paper into unique, handcrafted gift wrap using a variety of techniques, including painting, printing and stenciling. Create personalized designs and participate in a group painting process to take home a variety of paper designs. All supplies will be provided and shared among workshop participants. This workshop is for adults and teens 13 and older (teens must be accompanied by a participating adult). Visit our Workshops page for more information or register here for the "It's a Wrap!" workshop. 

About International Arts & Artists  

International Arts & Artists in Washington, D.C, is a nonprofit arts service organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally, through exhibitions, programs and services to artists, arts institutions and the public. Visit artsandartists.org. 

About the Curator 

Meher McArthur is the Art & Cultural Director of Japan House, Los Angeles, and a curator and historian of Japanese art. She curated the IA&A traveling exhibitions "Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami" (2012-2016) and "Above the Fold: New Expressions in Contemporary Origami" (2015 -2020) and co-curated "Nature, Tradition and Innovation: Japanese Ceramics from the Gordon Brodfuehrer Collection" (2016-2019). McArthur received a master of arts in Japanese studies from Cambridge University; a postgraduate diploma in Asian art from Sotheby’s School of Oriental Studies (SOAS), London University; and an master of arts in art and archaeology from SOAS, London University. 

About the Palmer Museum of Art 

The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is the largest art museum collection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and the most significant academic art museum in the state of Pennsylvania. A key element of Penn State’s land-grant mission of teaching, research and public service, the museum is a vital and accessible cultural resource for Penn State’s students, faculty and scholars, as well as for all visitors to and from the entire central Pennsylvania region. Through its world-class objects, programs and outreach, the free museum is a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant forum for authentic arts experiences and cultivates meaningful dialogue about today’s most potent ideas and pressing concerns. 
 
An expansive 21st-century teaching museum, the Palmer Museum of Art is a beacon for advancing the arts and humanities on Penn State’s University Park campus and throughout its diverse communities. The Palmer is dedicated to catalyzing groundbreaking research, scholarship and publications and providing impactful, object-based learning for Penn State and K-12 students. The Palmer’s rewarding and thought-provoking exhibitions and programs promote visitor participation, belonging and discovery. In January, the Palmer was voted one of 10 winners in the national USA Today 10Best contest for Best New Museums of 2025.