Paper Trails by Laura Shabazz

Paper Trails reflects the traces we leave behind the evidence of living, thinking, and imagining embedded in discarded printed materials. Each scrap of paper once carried someone’s words, marks, or gestures, forming fragments of communication that together tell the quiet story of our existence. In this exhibition, Laura Shabazz diverts books, magazines, and ephemera from the landfill, transforming them into painterly, representational collages that explore the space between imagination and visual experience.

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Based in Bernardsville, NJ, Laura Shabazz is a self-taught collage artist whose work has earned accolades including Best in Show from the NJ Art Association and People’s Choice Awards from Farmstead Arts and the Rockland Arts Festival. Her practice began serendipitously when an overflowing recycling bin sparked her creative journey, leading to a distinctive style that transforms discarded printed media into art that honors sustainability and storytelling.

Shabazz works exclusively with found paper materials, creating vibrant compositions that celebrate narrative, memory, and material reuse. Her process began with salvaged magazines and expanded to include rescued books, inspired by her years of working in a library. She embraces imperfections torn pages, stains, and doodles as opportunities for reinvention. By tearing apart and juxtaposing bits of paper, she creates something new from what’s been cast aside, ensuring each piece remains unique and improvisational.

Email: laura.shabazz@gmail.com

Website: www.laurashabazz.com Instagram: @laurashabazz