Hannah Lane

Woodworker

©Ash Brown Photography

When wood and paper meet

Hannah creates tactile artworks
She has developed a unique technique of combining paper and wood
She uses recycled paper that is then turned on the lathe

Nature itself introduced Hannah Lane her future craft. The artisan accidentally left a book of Lord of the Rings out in the rain and the paper transformation inspired her to reuse the material to create something completely new. She applied woodworking techniques to paper and the resulting magic lay the foundations of her practice. That was in 2002, today Hannah Lane is an award-winning artisan with works exhibited around the world. One of the features defining her works is eco-friendliness and devotion to recycling. “I am fascinated by the relationship between the two materials, their expansion, and contraction,” says Hannah about her enchanting and very original approach to merging paper and wood. Her objects know no boundaries and represent freedom of creative thought with a sustainable edge.

Interview

©Ash Brown Photography

©Ash Brown Photography

What is your creative process?: Each item is handmade by myself in my Nottinghamshire studio, I begin by making the material. Each page is layered and transformed back into a solid wood-like block. Traditional woodworking methods are then used to shape the objects. The unique surface patterns on the paper when the objects are worked can never be recreated.
What do you love most about being an artisan?: I love the creative community and the support that is available from my peers and organisations. The freedom to express and to encourage the viewer to look beyond the expected, and the normal. The smile of recognition once the viewer realises what material the object is produced from and their change in perception.
Is there a special moment from your professional life?: I am fortunate to have had many memorable moments in my career. I have produced installations for the largest shopping mall in Asia (at the time), AEON Laketown Tokyo. I won an award at the beginning of my career as one of Channel 4’s Creative Class and I delivered workshops at Oxford University for IAPMA.
What would be your advice for aspiring craftspeople?: Don’t set yourself boundaries, work hard, and let things happen organically. Follow every opportunity, be responsive and adaptable, network and meet people, join creative organisations and most importantly enjoy what you do and make, that will always shine through.

Hannah Lane is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2005