By Aundria McMillan Humphrey
“Terry Ann, is without a doubt, one of the most prominent American artists living in Mexico,” commented Antonio Arelle Barquet, Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, of Terry’s solo show there titled ‘Reimagined’ from February through May.
Twenty-one years ago, Terry designed and built the Tomlinson Gallery of Contemporary Paper Art in San Miguel, and has since mastered using her handmade paper to create subtle but exquisitely unparalleled works of art that stretch the imagination. Terry’s prolific body of work pushes boundaries. Its delicacy and lightness suggest fragility, yet, like its creator, each creation has a sturdy sense of purpose. “Words are sometimes hopelessly inadequate,” Terry says about her inspiration for her ‘Abstract Book,’ a work displaying random words that came to her as she worked. After visiting Terry’s studio, I awakened the next day with my eyes brimming with tears… the impact of ‘Mothers of War’ still fresh in my mind.
Inspired by the story of a mother who had gone through 10 years of fertility treatments and finally gave birth to twins, only to be later found holding her dead twins who had been killed in the Middle East war. From this story and imagery, Terry created one of her most powerful works of art, portraying the pain, the depths of despair, and the inhumane, horrific ravages of war. It is hard to believe anyone can stand before this work of art and view war anywhere through the lens of indifference. Powerful stories or experiences have inspired many pieces in Terry’s vast body of work.
She said, “I don’t work with an audience in mind. I work to express my feelings and to react to the world around me. My work is a part of who I am.” With the world becoming more plastic and digital, “Paper art is increasingly more meaningful and relevant. After all, handmade paper art is born of the earth and nature and cannot be duplicated by AI-generated technology.”In San Miguel, visit the Tomlinson Gallery of Contemporary Paper Art, Terraplén 29, open November - April, Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., or by appointment: +52-415-152-2616.
Aundria McMillan Humphrey
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