OUR STORY

Paper on Skin™ celebrates the ingenuity and wonder of wearable paper art.

Designers from around the world embrace the challenge of creating catwalk-ready garments made from at least 80% paper.

The first gala event was held at the Burnie Regional Art Gallery in 2012. In 2022, we relocated to Devonport and expanded our program to include new exhibitions, workshops, and film.

Today, the Paper on Skin™ gala and awards evening is one of Australia’s premier wearable art events. Exquisite paper garments are presented in a theatrical performance, complete with an original soundtrack.

This is followed by a six-week exhibition at the Devonport Regional Gallery.

Paper on Skin™ is a biennial event. In 2026, a new collection of extraordinary wearable artworks will be revealed.

We look forward to sharing them with our ever-growing audience - both online and in person on the beautiful North-West Coast of Tasmania.

About Paper Off Skin

Paper off Skin was held in 2022 as a sister event to Paper on Skin.

Paper off Skin gives artists, designers and papermakers the opportunity to explore the unique and versatile qualities of paper as a medium of creativity. The competition expands the artistry and innovation seen in the works of Paper on Skin™ – without the works needing to be wearable.

In essence, it brings more beautiful paper art into the world.

The inaugural winner of the Temple-Smith Lawyers (Linda Johnston Director) Major Award $1500 was Leonie Oakes (AUS) for Between the lines a story lies.

There will be no Paper off Skin in 2026.

Watch this space! We have not farewelled her…

Paper off Skin Major Sponsor - Temple-Smith Lawyers, Linda Johnston Director

2022 Curator - Dr Grace Pundyk

Paper off Skin Concept Originator - Kym Bywater

GALLERY

Universe of Paper

Community project and immersive art installation

Paper on Skin™ has had a long-held dream to create a ‘paper wonderland’ – a large scale, sensory rich environment made completely from paper.

With thanks to the Regional Arts Fund, Devonport City Council and Creative Paper, this year we were able to bring this dream to reality! The paper landscape filled Devonport’s Market Square Pavilion for a three-week period. It also provided the setting for a magical soirée prior to the Paper on Skin™ gala.

The extraordinary installation was created in a series of workshops which were held across the northern part of Tasmania from April to July.

Participants learned how to build a range of simple and more complex paper objects. As we moved closer to installation time, the various components created by all the communities involved were combined.

Devonport-based paper artist Stephanie Reynolds was the creative lead on the project. Thank you Stephanie for the incredible vision, tenacity and generosity you brought to the Universe of Paper. Congratulations! You, and the 400 or so people who contributed (with open hearts and busy fingers) achieved the dream!

This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.

HEAR THE MUSIC

In August 2023, Alluvium were awarded the APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards for ‘Excellence in a Regional Area’ for the 2022 Paper on Skin soundtrack Paper Cuts.

Alluvium is presented by Eastside Studios, and is made up of the incredibly talented musicians Paul Corfiatis and Aaron Hopper. Eastside Studios are the creative and digital arts production house of North-West Support Services.

North-West Support Services are a key partner with Paper on Skin™, and over the past few years have become strongly involved in the music and film elements of the production.

For Paper on Skin™ 2024, two albums were created, ‘Fire and Air’, and ‘Water and Earth.’

All three albums are available via Bandcamp - the best way to support musical artists. Find the music via the button below.

Paul and Aaron are already composing for 2026!

Alluvium Bandcamp