Woman creates artwork from 395 days of junk mail

[January 20, 2009]  AUSTIN (AP) -- One person's junk mail is an Austin woman's art. Artist Annette Lawrence saved every scrap of junk mail she received, at her home, for about 13 months and made it into an exhibit called "Free Paper."

Lawrence told KXAN-TV that she was "a bit bothered" by the amount of paper that arrived at her residence, 265 pounds worth, during the 395-day period. Instead of recycling the junk mail, Lawrence saved it so observers can take away a sense of "Wow, that is a lot of paper."

Lawrence tore the mail into 2-inch wide strips, stacked and bound the items, and put them on display by month.

The exhibit runs through Feb. 6 at the Flatbed Press & Gallery in Austin.

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[Associated Press]

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