Ziya Tarapore

Caught in the Crosswinds (2022)

Media: sculpted abaca

Statement: Experimenting with overbeaten Abaca and its ability to shrink and form shapes, has been my joy this year. The strength of Abaca reminds me of the strength we as human beings had while we endured the last 3 years. Experimenting with overbeaten Abaca and its ability to shrink and form shapes, has been my joy this year. The strength of Abaca reminds me of the strength we as human beings had while we endured the last 3 years.

Our Rights Matter (2022)

Media: abaca and muslin

Statement: The pristine whiteness of bleached Abaca cockling with pulp painted muslin, determines its own shape like every individual has the right to do.

Sunset on the Water (2021)

Media: paper made from plant fiber with plant inclusions and pulp painted

Statement: The lake mimics the setting sun every night, inspiring me with its vibrant colors and cool breeze. The plants used in this work were collected from the shores to capture its daily beauty. The forms seek to mimic the breeze rippling on the brilliant water.

The timelessness and spirituality of Nature inspires my work. My background in woven textiles informs my paper practice, as I manipulate wet paper as though it were fabric.

I layer, meld, and dye recycled paper or freshly pulled handmade paper, to form shapes. I then scrape and tear the surface to create texture, adding intense color, and sculptural depth with pulp paint, encaustic, and matte medium.

My artwork challenges the viewer to consider the irony of my subject matter and chosen media, as the trees and natural forms I evoke, are displaced to make the paper medium itself.

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