2026 Is a Year for Big Leaps!

A Year of Growth and New Heights

Year of a horse

With the start of a new year, I’m looking forward to learning more, trying new things, and enjoying the process of making art even more deeply. I hope to create works that feel richer and more alive, and to actively join exhibitions where I can share my journey and connect with others.

Beautiful Summer Day in Sydney

LongReefSydney2025
2026-01-01T13:07:26+11:00January 1st, 2026|Featured, Media, Projects|

How to Make Handmade Paper

Five Years with Primrose Paper Arts

Hollander Beater

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since I joined Primrose Paper Arts Inc. Time really flies when you’re surrounded by paper, pulp, and creative people!

Why do I love handmade paper so much?
First, it’s eco-friendly and affordable — most of our pulp comes from recycled paper, so every sheet feels like a little act of renewal.
Second, I get to use the Hollander beater — a big, old-school machine that turns scraps into beautiful pulp. It’s noisy but so much fun!
Third, the people. Our studio is full of friendly makers who share ideas, tips, and lots of laughter.
And finally, the art itself. Handmade paper has endless possibilities — you can fold it, sculpt it, or just admire its texture.

Making paper by hand connects me to nature, creativity, and community. I can’t imagine my art life without it now.

Handmade Paper
2025-11-12T21:15:01+11:00November 12th, 2025|Featured, Media, Projects|

Fold with Love 2025

Origami Installation at Pass the Baton

Paper Crane Installation

Thanks to bilingual MC Haruka-san’s initiative, I was in charge of the community origami project, the paper crane installation and workshop at the event hosted by the Sydney Japanese community, JCS.
The event welcomed 88-year-old Hiroshima survivor Ms Keiko Ogura, who spoke to Sydney’s high school students and the public about her experience and the importance of peace. It was a rare and moving opportunity to hear her story firsthand, which deeply touched everyone-including me.
The event was also featured on SBS World News and TBS(Tokyo Broadcasting System).

Installing
Front Door of the Pass the Baton
2025-08-20T20:19:12+10:00August 20th, 2025|Featured, Media, Origami, Projects, Service|

Making my own Paper

Small delicate work with a big achievement

Handmade Paper

I visited a Special Paper Shop, “Kami no Ondo” near Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya.

The huge shop has so many different types of papers on display.
It was amazing! So delightful!

Back in Sydney, I experimented with my pineapple pulp to make paper. The result was fantastic.
I love making paper and would love to experiment more.

(Below is a part of the shop, I think more than 20 times bigger.)

Paper Shop, Kami no ondo
2024-11-14T09:26:37+11:00November 14th, 2024|New Work, Origami, Projects, Workshops|

Sitter for Portia Geach Memorial Award

Portrait of Me at the Prestigious Portia Geach Memorial Award

Portrait of Midori Furze
Huge congratulations to, Stephanie Galloway Brown.
Stephanie was selected as a finalist in the 2023 prestigious Portia Geach Memorial Award with the portrait me, titled “The Paper Crane”.
This incredible exhibition will be held at the @shervingallery Sydney from 3rd November until 17th December 2023.
Stephanie wrote: Midori Furze is a Sydney-based multidisciplinary artist. Born in Japan, her early years were immersed in the traditions of Japanese culture. She draws Sumi-ink drawings on Japanese paper but Midori is known mostly for her unique origami projects within the community and her incredible installations. Her time is dedicated to teaching adults and children origami which is how I first met Midori many years ago in a paper crane origami workshop. A highly respected teacher, she has been invited to run origami workshops and projects in many places including for the Japanese Embassy. In 2022, she was one of 197 people in the world to be awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for her contribution towards origami in Sydney and Australia-Japan cultural exchange. She was also awarded by the Consulate General of Japan, Sydney in 2016. Although Midori has made hundreds of thousands of paper cranes I wanted to feature her with just one crane crafted with deep care and respect emerging from the protective palms of the creator awaiting release into the world to symbolise hope and peace.
2023-10-22T08:44:59+11:00October 22nd, 2023|Featured, Media, Projects|

How small can you fold?

Children are amazing!

small origami

I love visiting schools and school holiday care centres.
We always have fun and some kids are amazing.
For today’s workshop, I brought different-sized paper.

The smallest I brought was 3x3cm.
But some children kept challenging themselves smaller and smaller!

Such amazing talented kids and everyone has crowded around and cheered them.

Looking forward to seeing them again soon.

Workshop at school
2023-01-26T21:35:14+11:00January 26th, 2023|Origami, Projects, Service, Workshops|

New Exhibition “Rhythm of Sumi Ink”

Midori’s exhibition

Japanese Ink Drawing Exhibition
“Rhythm of Sumi Ink”
29 Nov – 17 Dec

at Kyushu Japanese Restaurant (9-11 Grosvenor St Neutral Bay. The restaurant opens 12noon till late on Tuesdays to Fridays. 12noon to 3pm on Saturdays. Close on Sundays & Mondays. The exhibition can be viewed during the restaurant’s opening hours.)

Sumi-e is the Japanese art of black ink drawings on thin Japanese papers.
Inks can’t be erased from the paper once you apply it and the rhythm of the strokes are very important as well as the colours and the sizes of the strokes.

2023-05-13T12:02:56+10:00November 19th, 2022|Exhibitions, Projects|