I’m an artist based in Somerset making work using paper.
“Paper is versatile and strong and comes in an endless variety of colours, weights and textures. It’s such an every-day material yet it can be transformed in so many ways”.
My work is mainly focused around cutting, folding and weaving paper by hand. I love working in colour, but also make monochrome work and add my own marks to the paper with inks and paints. I also make paper jewellery.
I am inspired by many things: the collections I draw while exploring museums, colourful textiles, ceramics, architecture and the small corners of the world I have explored. My tools are simple: a pencil, a ruler, a knife, a pair of scissors and some glue.
I completed a Foundation Course at Cheltenham School of Art. I then pursued my interest in the history of art and took a degree at Leicester University and a postgraduate diploma at Manchester University in Gallery and Museum Studies. After a career working in galleries and running community arts projects I returned to making my own work. In 2022 I was the Evolver Magazine Prize winner, I’m a member of the Paper Artist Collective and feature as a master artisan in the Michelangelo Foundation’s Homo Faber Guide. In 2024 I was accepted as a member of the Royal West of England Artist Network.
You can follow my work on instagram: @naomijkendall
Recent Exhibitions
2024
An Exploration of Colour in Art, Centre for Print Research, UWE, Bristol
RWA Friends’ Exhibition, Bristol
On Paper Of Paper, India Design, New Delhi
Pulp, Make Southwest, Collaborative project with the Paper Artist Collective
2023
Behind the Scenes, Brewhouse Arts Centre
Open Studio Pop-Up and Exhibition, Hestercombe Art Gallery
Thelma Hulbert Gallery Open Exhibition
Royal West of England Academy Open Exhibition
RWA Friends’ Exhibition, Bristol
Colour and Form, Prema Arts Centre, Gloucestershire
Frogmore Paper Mill, St Brides Foundation, London
Every Day in May, Delamore Estate Arts
Works on Paper, The Gallery at Green and Stone, London
Prize Winners’ Open, Ilminster Arts Centre
2022
Heart of the Tribe Winter Open
South West Academy Open Exhibition
Southwest Art and Design show at Dunster Tithe Barn
Paper, Prints, Painting, joint exhibition for Somerset Art Weeks
Paper Duets, Gallery Art Motif, New Delhi
Matisse and the Contemporary Paper Artists, Rheged, Penrith
Ilminster Open Exhibition (Joint 2nd prize winner)
Evolver Cover Exhibition (Evolver prize winner)
ACE Arts Somerton Summer Open Exhibition
2021
Wish You Were Here Exhibition for Art Refuge, Yorkton Workshops, London
Sou Sou West Summer Exhibition
Solace, Musgrove Park Hospital
Somerset Reacquainted, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Taunton
Publications
Rag and Pulp, Uppercase Publishing
The Papercraft Ideas Book, Jessica Baldry, Ilex Press
Paris Corporation Interview
Shleunung Paper Art Calendar 2021