The goal is to utilize art-making as a means to help veterans reconcile their personal experiences, as well as to broaden the traditional narrative surrounding service, honor and the military culture. Through papermaking workshops, veterans across America have used their uniforms worn in combat to create cathartic new works of art. Returned soldiers contribute their government issued clothing, cut it up, beat and transform it, and create sheets of paper.

Through ongoing participation in this crafts-based process, combat papermakers have progressed from creating works specific to their military experiences to expressing a broader vision of militarism and society. The work reflects both the soldiers’ anger about their past, as well as their outlook for the future. This collaboration between civilians and veterans, has generated a much-needed conversation about our responsibilities to the returned veteran—and a deeper understanding of the dehumanizing effects of warfare.

Combat Paper Project: Fibers of Reason is a representative collection of the past two years. Members of the project have been traveling across the United States and United Kingdom, working with hundreds of survivors of conflict. All of the works in this exhibition have been created from old uniforms worn during military service and rendered by their owners into paper. Using traditional techniques, the final results include artist’s books, broadside prints and large format sheets. This extraordinary project ends its tour and year in Key West, and has been made possible by a multifaceted collaboration between artists, studios, art collectors, academic institutions and veterans.
Generously Sponsored by Southernmost Restaurant Group