Lizz Aston's practice is informed by the history and production of textiles and decorative arts.

In recent years the influence of nature (including flowers and semi-precious rocks), human interconnectedness, and the current sociopolitical environment has permeated her work. 

Like the best of Lizz Aston's work she begins by embracing an anonymous textile pattern, such as a hand-made lace doily, and then manipulates it digitally before creating a new contemporary descendant. These transformed and augmented patterns are then hand-cut on fine Japanese Kozo paper (aka mulberry paper) which are then painted, stained or dyed. 

"Two of Cups" is a direct reference to the tarot card of the same name. The 'Two of Cups' card shows two figures holding/exchanging cups side-by-side. Just as this tarot card signifies a flowing connectedness, the colors in Aston's work flow in and out of each other.

The suit of cups in the tarot relates to the element of water and is associated with emotion, intuition, the subconscious and creativity. Humans have deep connections and associations to water and cups, throughout history and across cultures. Aston is less interested in tarot as a divinatory tool and more interested in its observations of archetypes, symbolism, mythology and the history of tarot scholarship. 

Aston masterfully creates a fluid color scale between two similar, but not identically-shaped forms connected at the middle - creating an hour-glass silhouette. Luminous, glowing shades of jade, lime, azure and teal ombré outward from the centre of their respective shapes, flowing through the form and into each other.

To heighten the form's impact, Aston elevates the cut-out with an intricate structure of pins beneath the work, thereby creating dramatic shadows.  

To learn more about Lizz Aston's process . 

Questions about this product?  or call 1.416.704.1720

"Two of Cups"

Canada, 2020

Hand-cut, painted and dyed Japanese Kozo paper

Signed on the backing by the artist.

27"H  17"W (framed)

Framed with museum glass according to specifications by the artist