Artist Statement for "Destiny - no borders" Ketubah

Artist: Nishima Kaplan

Original media: Handmade papers collaged on birch board

The second in Nishma’s "Torn Paper" series, "Destiny" captures the feeling of sand dunes shifting in the wind yet always remaining constant. The artwork conveys feeling of marble etched by time and light. Like your marriage, Destiny is fluid and ever-changing, yet solid and secure.

The torn paper collage is constructed from handmade paper that is torn, applied and layered onto a birch board over the course of several days. The process is intensely meditative for the artist. She begins with only an idea in mind. No sketches of the artwork are done prior to beginning and no instruments other than the artist's hand are used to tear the paper. Sudden inspirations, "accidents" and the natural beauty of the paper are allowed to "create" the artwork, using the artist as the vessel of expression. Spontaneous, creative, mystical: the words used to describe the process of creating this torn paper ketubah also describe the people who love it.