My earliest memory of engaging with paper takes me back to third grade. In geography class, we were tasked with creating a project that summarized our year. I chose to create a topographic map—something that fascinated me each time I saw one in our science classroom. The moment I decided on the project, it felt automatic. I gathered newspaper, mixed flour and water to make glue, and began shaping my map. That simple act of creating something from nothing became a pivotal moment in my life. It was the beginning of my lifelong relationship with paper.

As the years passed, paper became my constant medium of expression. My parents, noticing my deep passion for it, cleared the family garage and transformed it into my studio. Neighbors who passed by began noticing my work, and soon I was teaching kids how to create their own paper projects. By the time I graduated high school, I had immersed myself in the world of paper art. I knew it was my calling.

As my work began to attract attention, I started creating sculptures and objects for design shops and businesses. This commercial work became my income, allowing me to further develop my personal career in parallel with teaching. At 25, I made the decision to dedicate myself fully to my craft and opened a workshop center focused exclusively on paper arts.

The first decade was one of discovery—understanding what made my workshop unique and how I could leave my own mark on it. I began to see that paper wasn’t just a medium—it was a way to express one's inner world. Then, unexpectedly, a fire destroyed my studio, and all I had worked for in those ten years turned to ash.

The loss was devastating, but it also became a turning point. After relocating to Berlin in 2012, I decided to start anew. I created a Facebook page for Paper Lab, a platform where I could share my journey and the philosophy of Self-Topography on Paper. This shift marked a new approach: I no longer wanted to focus on simply helping people complete their projects. Instead, I wanted to introduce paper as a medium for self-expression and personal exploration.

At 29, I won a competition that led to another significant shift. My woven paper collection evolved into a factory producing handmade paper baskets. These baskets were sold in galleries and museum shops. The factory was not just about production; it became a protected environment for 88 people facing mental health challenges. This space offered them fair wages, the opportunity to learn new skills, and support for their daily challenges. It was a place where art and social responsibility intersected, and it shaped my understanding of the power of paper.

The evolution of Paper Lab has always been deeply aligned with my own artistic journey. My process of learning, experimenting, and evolving as an artist has shaped everything about the Lab. The way I teach reflects who I am—Self-Topography on Paper is not just a method I share with others; it is the very philosophy that guides my own practice. It’s a personal, ongoing journey of self-expression through the medium of paper.

As the demand for my workshops grew, I expanded Paper Lab to an online platform. Through dedication and careful attention to the community we’ve built, I refined the platform into what it is today. The curiosity and interest from academies and institutions have been invaluable, especially for a self-taught artist. Reflecting on my journey, I realize how much hard work, resilience, and trust in the process have shaped everything I’ve built. Through the highs and lows, I’ve believed in the value of the work—and it has brought me here.