As the year 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on artists who have produced some interesting works. Among them is Aliza Thomas, an artist and papermaker whose work seamlessly blends ancient traditions with contemporary insight. Based in the Netherlands but originally from Israel, Aliza is inspired by the practices of Asian papermaking and shamanic art. Her dedication to Qigong and Taiji Quan, disciplines that emphasize harmony between the mind, body, and spirit, informs her creative philosophy.
For Aliza, art is not merely about the finished product; it’s a dialogue that bridges the tangible and the spiritual. Her handmade paper creations explore themes of duality, balance, and human connection. These pieces, while deeply personal, resonate universally, offering a glimpse into the meditative and philosophical underpinnings of her craft.
One of Aliza’s standout works from 2024 is “Combining Left and Right,” a 122 cm x 110 cm free-formed Kozo paper piece. Created using dyed pulp shaped on a screen, this artwork is a vivid exploration of balance and perspective. Its tactile quality, paired with Aliza’s poetic musings—“Is it left or right? Who’s first? Your left or my right…”—invites viewers to consider the interplay of opposites in their own lives.
The inspiration for this piece stems from Aliza’s martial arts training and her observations of people. The twisting, snake-like patterns suggest movement and transformation, while the interplay of light and shadow reflects moments of clarity amidst complexity. The knots woven into the composition hint at the challenges of achieving balance, both physical and emotional.
Aliza’s perspective on left and right is not fixed; it’s a fluid conversation. “You borrow my left side. Then I will be right,” she says, capturing the reciprocity and interconnectedness that define human relationships. The organic textures of the Kozo paper, with its imperfections and depth, mirror the themes of contrast and unity at the heart of the work.
Another piece that captures Aliza’s ability to evoke universal themes is “Carrying a Heavy Load,” completed in 2020. This 133 cm x 68 cm work, also made from dyed Kozo pulp on a giant screen, examines the act of carrying as both a physical and emotional metaphor.
Aliza was inspired by the quiet strength of those who bear burdens—be it animals carrying loads, parents lifting children, or even the weight of everyday objects. The artwork conveys not just the effort involved in carrying but the unexpected pride and lightness of being carried. This duality, a recurring theme in her work, is brought to life through layered textures and forms that suggest movement and weight.
She likens this dynamic to her experiences horseback riding, where the connection between the bearer and the carried is both practical and profound. The composition of “Carrying a Heavy Load” emphasizes this relationship, with its interplay of shadows and contours creating an almost sculptural quality.
At the core of Aliza’s practice is her use of Kozo paper, a material central to traditional Japanese papermaking. The process of creating this paper is as significant as the final product—stripping bark, boiling it down, and shaping it into sheets becomes an act of transformation. For Aliza, this meditative ritual aligns with her artistic themes of resilience and balance.
Aliza Thomas’s art speaks to more than aesthetics—it’s an invitation to explore the spaces between opposites, whether physical, emotional, or philosophical. Through works like “Combining Left and Right” and “Carrying a Heavy Load,” she challenges us to think about the ways we navigate balance in our own lives.
Her approach, rooted in the traditions of papermaking and the philosophies of martial arts, provides a fresh perspective on the human experience. Aliza’s art reminds us that creativity is not just about the end result—it’s about the process, the connections we forge, and the stories we uncover along the way.
