Down on Paper

In 2003 British artists Chris Taylor and Craig Wood created specially designed wallpaper featuring lines to write words on, staves for musical notation, join-the-dots configurations and frames to fill. The wallpaper asserted the possibility of audience participation and was the point of departure for expressive mark making.

By inviting people to ‘complete’ the paper in whatever way they choose, a unique collaborative artwork was created, encouraging audience participation and breaking taboos about where drawing and writing is allowed to take place.

Three of the designs were produced by wallpaper manufacturers Graham & Brown. Through a range of drawing, creative writing and expression workshops, schools throughout Birmingham worked with the wallpaper in a variety of settings.

Schools that participated in the project were Handsworth Wood Girls School, Handsworth Grammar School, Holte School, Mayfield Special School and George Dixon International School, all located in Birmingham.