Gillian was introduced to papermaking whilst a student at Dartington College of Arts. It was the beginning of a life long passion for the craft which led her to research primitive papermaking techniques in China, Burma and Japan. She was able to transfer the knowledge of natural dyes she had acquired in dyeing wool to her experimental work colouring paper fibres. Commissions, collaborations and teaching followed and also exhibitions showcasing Gillian’s art work using her own paper made from plants, sometimes combined with collage or printmaking. Gillian was awarded a bursary from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature enabling her to work with rural schools in Malawi, creating paper for the schools’ own use. Gillian is a Fellow of the Society of Designer Craftsmen. The series of ‘deckchair’ pieces which Gillian is showing at Delamore this year was inspired by an image of paper drying on frames on a hillside in Nepal.