A number of Steve Speer's photographic series are printed on a handmade Japanese Washi paper that is itself a work of art. Each sheet is formed entirely by hand from a blend of mulberry (40%) and hemp (60%) fibres, making every page singular and unrepeatable. The fibres settle naturally onto a bamboo papermaking mat, leaving visible traces of the process within the paper itself.
The making of this paper is a deeply tactile craft, with artisans guiding every step. No two sheets are alike. At just 110 gsm, the paper is exceptionally delicate. By comparison, most fine art papers exceed 300 gsm. Its lightness and visible fibre structure give it a natural, organic character that cannot be replicated by machine-made papers.
This material choice transforms each print from an image on paper into a physical object, allowing the photographs to exist with quiet presence, texture, and depth.
Steve uses this paper in his Building on the Bow series, as well as his Monumental Italy series.
