My Story / Taku Kōrero

A collection of stories, dreams, memories and possibilities — told through handmade paper.

This year, the papermakers of The Blue Goose Papermill Charitable Trust invite you to explore My Story / Taku Kōrero, an exhibition celebrating individuality, creativity and the stories that make each of us unique.

Working with recycled paper and plant fibres, our papermakers have explored the traditional handmade practice of papermaking and transformed discarded materials into something deeply personal.

Inspired by the theme of Books, each papermaker has created their own one-of-a-kind book within a book.

Repurposed encyclopedia covers have been transformed into bifolding hardcover books, creating a unique home for a collection of smaller books and artworks inside. Donated paper rolls were also transformed into a canvas for creativity, with papermakers making prints using linocuts, stencils, unique dyes and crayon techniques to create beautiful images inspired by each artist.

The papermakers also made cotton paper specifically for marbling. Each person experimented with colour and pattern to create their own unique marbled papers, made especially for their individual books. No two pieces are the same, making each book truly one of a kind.

At the heart of each book is a Dreams and Aspirations Book — a personal collection created by each papermaker to celebrate who they are, what they love, their creative journey and their hopes for the future. Past artworks, favourite things, interests and dreams come together to create a unique glimpse into their lives and aspirations.

Each papermaker has also created collages representing a favourite place and a favourite thing, with handmade pockets and envelopes holding pieces of their creative journey.

Papermakers also experimented with AI as a storytelling tool, contributing their own ideas and keywords to create a unique 10-page fictional story.

Together, these layers create something much more than a collection of books. They are personal archives, creative journeys, imaginative adventures and windows into the lives of the people who made them.

No two books are alike.

Every cover, page, pocket, collage, print, marbled piece and carefully chosen piece of handmade paper reflects the person behind it.

My Story / Taku Kōrero is an invitation to slow down, open a page, and discover the wonderful and unique stories held within.

But we invite you to do more than simply look.

Take the time to meet our papermakers. Hear their stories. Share a conversation. Discover what makes each person unique.

Through connection, creativity and participation, we hope this exhibition creates an opportunity for our community to get to know our papermakers one person, one story and one conversation at a time.

He kōrero nō te ngākau — stories from the heart.