Every year on the second Saturday of May, artists and communities around the globe come together to celebrate World Collage Day—an international event initiated in 2018 by the Kolaj Institute. More than just a celebration of cut-and-paste, World Collage Day is a gesture of generosity and connection, inviting us to share space, materials, ideas, and collage creativity.
This year, I’m marking the occasion with two small offerings—each one an invitation into the reflective, connective space that collage opens up for me. Both are shaped around the idea that looking and making can be quiet acts of reflection, and that these kinds of acts can connect us—with ourselves, each other, and the artwork we encounter.
Since stepping away from my work as a librarian, I’ve been lucky to spend more of my time thinking about art and making art—with collage at the heart of it. Collage is a medium for research and learning, reflection, communication and connection. As a self educated artist, the learning bit is very important to me.
In my efforts to educate myself, I forget as much information as I retain—though I have strategies to manage this which could be a whole other story! However, it strikes me that the momentum of the "slow movement" is a kind of strategy that artists can bring to their practice in response to the speed and complexity of our 21st century lives. A recognition of the need to slow down, reflect, and move forward with a deeper sense of clarity and understanding.
Recently I came across a quote attributed to Raoul Hausmann: 'Danger only lurks in an indecisive mix'. The quote was used in reference to the way collage artist Hannah Höch made fearless, decisive cuts—disassembling images and creating new meanings by estranging their original components. In a way this is something I aspire to, being unafraid to take apart the meaning of one thing in order to make sense of another. The paralysis that indecision brings is hard to manage, especially when the act of cutting that precious original image means there is no going back.
This is where slow making becomes a useful. It allows me to take the time to relax and spend time in thought as a form of productive deliberation—one that filters out indecision and helps uncover purpose. Reflection becomes a both a pause and an active process of clarity that guides toward more intentional choices.
More info on the workshops are below. Due to limited space I am only able to make room for 10 people per session, so book in quick to save your spot.
Beyond a Glance: Finding Meaning Through Quiet Contemplation
This is a slow-looking session held in a gallery space. It’s an invitation to linger. Through prompts and quiet observation, we’ll give ourselves time to really see, feel, and respond to a work of art—tuning in to the details, the emotions, the questions that emerge when we’re still for long enough.
Sat 10 May | 9am - 11am | The Churn Room, Dayboro
Book your ticket to the AM session here (and bring your notebook or journal and pen)
Paper and Presence: Contemplative Making
It’s all about the meditative rhythm of collage—cutting, arranging, listening, responding. In a materials-led process, we let the textures, colours, and images guide us. We’ll be letting go of fixed outcomes and instead will make collages, slowly and thoughtfully in a process that allows us to be fully present while working with our hands.
Sat 10 May | 12 noon - 2pm | The Churn Room, Dayboro
Book your ticket to the PM session here (all materials supplied)
