Papyrus is a visual tribute to paper-one of humanity's oldest and most enduring carriers of knowledge. The publication marks the third and final instalment of Jessica Backhaus's trilogy, following Cut Outs (2021) and Plein Soleil (2024), and continues her exploration of abstraction by reducing visual language to its most essential elements. In an age of increasing digitization, paper is gradually disappearing from everyday life and collective awareness. Papyrus responds to this shift by deliberately focusing on paper as both a cultural and artistic medium, foregrounding its material presence and sensory qualities. The title refers not only to the ancient writing material but also serves as a conceptual bridge between past and present forms of expression. In antiquity, papyrus was among the earliest surfaces used to record human thoughts, memories, and ideas-a fragile yet enduring medium for poetry, philosophy, rituals, and historical records. Backhaus reimagines papyrus as a metaphor for communication beyond words. Through colour, form, texture, and light, her photographs create emotional inscriptions that invite contemplation rather than explanation. The work explores how the simplest visual elements can evoke profound emotional resonance, creating a space for reflection, perception, and imagination. For Backhaus, abstraction is not a departure from reality but a deeper engagement with it. By removing recognisable imagery, she creates space for intuition, ambiguity, and emotional experience. Clarity emerges not through representation but through resonance.
