Papirmass (pronounced pah-purr-mass) is a Canadian art subscription that sends you a print from a new artist or illustrator each month. Their name is a play on the Danish word for "pulp," and they were founded by two artists to help keep themselves and others inspired and motivated through art.
They share the artist name in advance each month, but never spoil the artwork. I love their colorful and modern shipping envelopes, and I get so excited to open them up and see my surprise each month.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Papirmass
The Subscription Box: Papirmass
The Cost: $14/month ($12/month for prepaid quarterly, or $8/month for prepaid annual).
The Products: One artist print (or prints) plus info about the artist and an additional card with creative and inspirational quotes/activities, each month.
Ships to: Ships worldwide for free!
Good to Know: You must sign up before the last day of each month to receive the following month's artist (so for December, you had to sign up by November 31st)
Edition #99, Featuring Photographer Lauren
The featured artist this month is the youngest artist ever featured by Papirmass! Lauren Tepfer is an 18-year-old photographer from New York City, currently attending the Parsons School of Design.
I love seeing work by emerging artists! They're super engaged and often unconcerned with what's cool (or what makes money). This interview totally reminded me of what it was like to be a freshman at art school.
As always, you can read the full interview on Papirmass's website, which includes Lauren's thoughts behind each of the images featured in this edition.
Set of 4 Postcards by Lauren Tepfer
Left to Right: Moon", "Gradient", "Wildwood", and "Collingswood"
I love that Papirmass switched things up this month and sent these photos in the form of postcards. Sharing art with friends is one of my favorite things to do, and as we all know: getting mail is fun! I love any excuse to write up and send a quick note to a friend far away.
This is the first time I've wished the prints themselves were just a bit higher quality. Everything else I've gotten from this subscription has been more of an illustration, so they always have nice sharp lines– the resolution on these photos seems a little low by comparison, and the blacks aren't super deep black. I suppose it could be intentional though, as it doesn't really take away from the final product too much.
I love the colors and how well they work in this group; it's a very moody contemplative setting. Seeing them all together also has more of an impact for me than if we'd only gotten one print.
The prints are beautiful in their own way, but also a little somber and lonely feeling. They're definitely unusual and unexpected postcard images, which I also enjoy.
One card has the usual information about the edition printed on the back, but the other three are ready to be filled out and sent:
Each one has a little snippet from Lauren about the image. It's so interesting to see how these are snippets from her own life; her brother running across a beach, a scene around the corner from her home. In my own artistic practice, I've often struggled to get "back to my roots" so to speak instead of always exploring something fresh and new. This is a great reminder that sometimes the things that are the most personal to you can speak volumes to other people, even if they don't seem that innovative to yourself personally.
I sort of giggled at this quote, because I mean... is this my childhood summed up in one sentence? I totally agree with this statement though. We are big fans of unstructured free play at home with our three year old.
The creative activity also hits on the nostalgia theme with a "Draw your most embarrassing yearbook photo" prompt. Not my favorite activity we've had, but sometimes it's OK to look back and laugh and marvel at how far you've come, right?
Verdict
Papirmass is my favorite little monthly indulgence. If you're looking to add some fresh artwork to your home and explore some new artists and illustrators, I totally recommend it! I signed up for a year at $8/month (which is an amazing deal), but you can also join month-t0-month for $14/month (or $12/month prepaid quarterly).
I'm really looking forward to issue 100, which should be arriving in my mailbox any day now, and features one of the Papirmass founders!
Is this box still available if I subscribe today? No. If you sign up now (before April 30th), your first edition will be the May shipment.
Check out all of our Papirmass reviews and more subscription boxes for the home and office in our subscription box directory!
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What do you think about Papirmass?
Do you like receiving surprise art in the mail? What do you think about this month's artwork? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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