Nicholas Cladis

Lecturer
Biography

Throughout my career, I have used papermaking as a foundation for a web of disciplines, such as sculptural book arts, sound, and site-responsive work. In 2008, I received a BA in art from Trinity University in San Antonio, and later received a joint MA/MFA degree in art/printmaking from the University of Dallas. Then from 2014-2020 I lived and worked in the Echizen papermaking region of Japan — an area with over 1,500 years of papermaking history.

During my six years in Japan, I learned from several different papermakers and served as international liaison for the local papermakers union. I also taught paper arts courses at Fukui Prefectural University. My artwork has been exhibited in group and solo exhibitions around Japan and has been featured in numerous Japanese publications.

I continue to serve on the executive committee of Imadate Art Field, a non-profit arts organization located in Echizen, and continue to conduct research on topics related to the region. Specifically, I am currently interested in fine art applications for decorative Japanese papermaking techniques, as well as the lore and heritage of the papermaking goddess of Japan.