Passages in Paper
A solo exhibition of small works by Bev Barnett
Pence Gallery, November 20 - December 30, 2026
212 D Street, Davis California
Public Reception Friday December 11, 6 - 9 p.m.
A staircase is a space of transition. A quiet bridge between where we have been and where we are going. Passages in Paper mirrors that physical climb as an emotional and creative journey from unhurried curiosity through moments of breaking open, dreaming, quiet reckoning, and contemplation before arriving at morning light.
See the exhibition in the open stairway between the lower and upper galleries, or take the virtual climb below.
Wandering Through
Dimensions: 16 x 20
Materials: Mixed pulp (dyed abaca, denim blue jeans) formed over continuous cotton rope.
The Story: Positioned at the base of the stairs, Wandering Through captures the unhurried rhythm of moving through life with curiosity. Beneath the squares of handmade paper, the suggestion of a continuous cord weaves its way across the surface. Our path is connected even when we can’t see the next step on the path.
Stepping In
Dimensions: 12 × 12
Materials: Dyed abaca pulp cast on strings, on background of hand-made paper from foraged rush fiber mixed with abaca.
The Story: Once we are open to change, there comes a moment of decision. Grounded in warm, earthy vertical ridges, Stepping In speaks to the quiet courage of crossing the threshold and committing fully to what comes next.
Quiet Reckoning
Dimensions: 12 × 12
Materials: Recycled scrap, abaca and silk pulp
The Story: Between dreaming and action lies a necessary pause. Against a moody, nocturnal blue field, raw flecks of gold and ochre break through the surface to capture the honest, internal moment of taking stock when clarity begins to stir.
Loose Ends
Dimensions: 12 × 9
Materials: Abaca and cotton denim blue jean pulp cast on orange variegated thread, over background of hand-made embossed paper from cotton denim blue jean pulp.
The Story: Not every chapter ties up neatly. Suspended with raw, trailing cords against a deep blue backing, Loose Ends honors the beauty of the unfinished, the unraveled, and the threads we leave hanging as we keep moving forward.
The Deep Hours
Dimensions: 8 × 8
Materials: Abaca fiber cast on strings and affected by cyanotype and minerals, finished with upcycled sari silk over background of hand-made paper from foraged Poke Weed.
The Story: Intimate in scale near the top steps, The Deep Hours holds the weight of quiet endurance. Dense, dark fibers sit tightly bound, honoring the late-night hours of reflection where we simply sit with what is heavy and trust the process.
Wide Open
Dimensions: 12 × 12
Materials: Unbleached abaca pulp with upcycled sari silk cast on string. Handmade paper from dyed abaca and cotton blue jean pulp.
The Story: Sometimes life shifts without warning, parting our usual defenses and leaving us exposed. Delicate horizontal fibers bridge the open center between two solid flanks, evoking the vulnerability and relief of letting go and allowing our perspective to expand
Canyon Dreams
Dimensions: 9 × 12
Materials: Cast pulp from recycled paper scraps, dyed abaca, cotton Blue jeans and used coffee filters. Foraged and hand-processed poke weed and lemongrass pulp. Background of handmade, embossed paper from cotton denim blue jean pulp.
The Story: Moving through the journey, we come to a place of dreaming. Deep time and wide horizon open new possibilities. Layered textures of ochre and earth invite the mind to wander, dream, and imagine possibilities beyond the immediate day-to-day.
Fertile Ground for Wild Thoughts
Dimensions: 16 × 16
Materials: Dyed abaca with iris fiber cast on bamboo threads, over background of 100% foraged Red Hot Poker flower stalk fiber.
The Story: Anchoring the midpoint of the staircase, this piece celebrates what happens when we tend our inner soil. Rich with organic botanical texture, it represents the creative surge that follows stillness as we make room for bold, untamed ideas to take root.
The Distance We Keep
Dimensions: 12 × 9
Materials: Handmade paper from invasive plants (Poke Weed and Horse Weed) with silk pulp, over background of handmade embossed paper from dyed Abaca mixed with cotton denim blue jean pulp and finely pulped iris fiber.
The Story: As we climb higher and we begin to advance our new ideas, we may become more intentional about space, boundaries, and solitude. Fragmented islands of handmade paper float in quiet balance, reflecting the healthy breathing room we create between ourselves and the world.
First Light
Dimensions: 8 × 10
Materials: Dyed abaca pulp cast on strings, with accents of upcycled sari silk hand-dyed with fresh indigo leaves over a background of handmake paper from foraged and processed poke weed.
The Story: Waiting at the top landing, First Light is the brightest arrival in the exhibition. Vibrant purple pulp punctuated with sparks of turquoise silk captures the gratitude, clarity, and fresh start waiting on the other side of the climb.