The Combat Paper Project

A couple of weeks ago I heard this very moving and interesting interview with two U.S.A. marines who had come back from duty in Iraq. They spoke about their feelings, and how they have suffered mentally seeing poverty, death and destruction in Iraq. When listening to this interview I almost felt like I was listening in on a therapy session. Very moving and enlightening.

One of the soldiers talked about how he decided to turn his uniform into paper and make art. The whole process helped him with the healing. He and other soldiers now turn their uniforms into paper / art.

"Through papermaking workshops veterans use their uniforms worn in combat to create cathartic works of art. The uniforms are cut up, beat and formed into sheets of paper. Veterans use the transformative process of papermaking to reclaim their uniform as art and begin to embrace their experiences as a soldier in war."
Reprinted from www.combatpaper.org/about.html


I ask all crafters and paper lovers to take a look at their web site. There are a couple of videos and a great selection of images in the gallery section of their artwork made from their uniforms. Also check out the Exhibits of their work.
Check out The Combat Paper Project

I would like to thank The Combat Paper Project team, giving me permission to show images from their web site.