Tissue Ink Monoprints are created by saturating the tissue paper with water, thus releasing the ink from the fiber, the tissue is then pressed on to a heavy weight paper, which absorbs the bright ink permanently. Much like a discarded cocoon from an emerging butterfly, the Tissue Paper Sculptures give birth to the Tissue Ink Monoprints. This sacrifice is honored as the ephemeral paper hangs freely on the wall with power and dignity. The Tissue Ink Monoprints represent a recorded history of formation, which pays homage to the stains it now bears.

This body of work combines the grounded complexity of Monoprints, with the familiarity of family photographs.

Short Documentary films about the artwork of Maya Freelon Asante

I use "bleeding" tissue paper, water and archival pulp substrate to capture the chaotic movement of water and color blending on a spinning surface. By mounting my project on a potter's wheel, I'm able to stand above my work, and while in motion use the wet tissue like a brush. As the wheel turns at different velocities and intervals, the ink spreads and mixes with other colors while simultaneously the intricate stains are absorbed into the pulp substrate permanently.

The distribution of ink undergoing circular motion evolves in such a way that the gradient of the paint density changes with time and regions such as attractors, islands or basins appear. The colors then escape to infinity forming chaos artwork.

Experimenting with time, compression, blending and transforming tissue paper beyond recognition has led me to this new body of work.

Collaged Tissue Ink Monoprints created for the critically acclaimed exhibition, Material Girls