Paper Reimagined: Terry Ann Tomlinson’s Meditative Alchemy of Paper, Light, and Technology
- Gregg Masters
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 25
by Gregg A. Masters, MPH & Lon Levin, BFA
In the heart of Querétaro’s historic district, a paper revolution is quietly unfolding inside the elegant galleries of MAQRO – Museo de Arte de Querétaro. MAQRO is a renowned cultural institution located in the heart of Querétaro, Mexico. It is known for its impressive collection of artworks that span various periods and styles, showcasing both local and international artists.
Visitors to the MAQRO can explore a diverse range of exhibits, from contemporary pieces to classical art, providing a comprehensive look at the evolution of artistic expression.
The museum also hosts workshops, lectures, and events that engage the community and promote appreciation for the arts. Whether you're an art enthusiast or a casual visitor, MAQRO offers a rich and immersive experience that celebrates the vibrant cultural heritage of Querétaro.
'Paper Reimagined' by Terry Ann Tomlinson
This unique art medium exhibition presents six (6) rooms filled with imaginative art in the medium of paper.
One room is reserved for the 'immersive' experience. Here jellyfish-like forms suspended in dreamlike motion and ancient papermaking techniques brought into dialogue with immersive projection, 'Dreams of Medusae' the immersive component of 'Paper Reimagined' is more than an exhibition—it’s an invitation to enter another state of being.
On view from February 23 through May 18, 2025, this landmark solo exhibition by Terry Ann Tomlinson spans over two decades of artistic inquiry, centered on the expressive potential of handmade paper. But what makes Paper Reimagined truly transformative is its centerpiece: Dreams of Medusae, an immersive installation produced in collaboration with ArtToday.tv co-founders Gregg Masters and Lon Levin.
From Molecules to Medusas: A Journey in Transformation
Terry Ann Tomlinson’s path to this moment is as organic, layered, and surprising as the paper she crafts. After beginning her career as a flavor chemist in the U.S., Tomlinson followed her instincts—and art—to Mexico. There, in 2002, she discovered the traditions of hand papermaking. This ancient and tactile medium became her portal to a new language of expression.
In the two decades since, Tomlinson has cultivated a uniquely spiritual practice, crafting translucent sheets from abaca, cotton, and other fibers using traditional Japanese 'nagashizuki' techniques. Her works often draw inspiration from nature and meditation, evoking cellular structures, flowing water, or elemental forces. Through paper, she conveys fragility, resilience, and the unseen connections that bind us all.
Yet it’s her Paper Reimagined Series and its immersive Dreams of Medusa installation, evolving over the past 15 years, that culminates in this moment. These undulating, luminous forms—the mature form of jellyfish—represent a perfect marriage of organic craft and archetypal symbolism. In Dreams of Medusae, they come alive in real time in the abstract via a combination of lighting, video, imagery and calming music.
A Word from the Museum Director and Inspiration to Feature the Unique Art of Terry Ann Tomlinson
Immersion as Meditation: Inside Dreams of Medusae, Staging the Experience, Meeting the Deadline
Opening night brought many to preview this innovative exhibition:
Visitors to MAQRO’s main gallery find themselves surrounded by over 300 handmade paper sculptures, each suspended mid-air and softly lit to reveal their delicate textures and ethereal glow. But this is no static installation. As the room darkens, video projections begin to dance across the floating forms. Waves ripple across the walls. Colors bloom, recede, and reform in hypnotic sequences. A soundscape gently washes through the space—ambient tones, subtle aquatic echoes, the occasional heartbeat-like pulse.
You are no longer a 'museumgoer'. You are underwater. Or perhaps inside a dream. Maybe both?
This immersive art environment was produced by ArtToday.tv, via a custom digital arts platform devoted to promoting innovative and socially resonant work. Co-principals Gregg Masters and Lon Levin collaborated with Tomlinson to design a 360° experience using LED projection, ambient sound design, and AI-driven visuals to bring her paper medusas to life.
An Exhibition with Many Doors
While Dreams of Medusae forms the pulsing heart of the exhibition, Paper Reimagined as a whole invites' audiences into the artist’s journey. Adjacent rooms feature Tomlinson’s earlier wall works, abstract compositions that play with translucency, layering, and the shadow-casting potential of handmade sheets.
Importantly, the exhibition also showcases her deep relationship with Mexico. From sourcing local fibers to collaborating with indigenous craftspeople, Tomlinson’s work reflects a reverence for place and tradition. As she puts it, “Paper for me is not a medium, but a material with memory. It remembers the hands, the water, the air.”
ArtToday.tv and the Power of Immersive Storytelling
For ArtToday.tv, Paper Reimagined aligns perfectly with their mission: “artists helping artists heal the planet.” Known for championing works at the intersection of ecology, mindfulness, and technology, the team saw in Tomlinson’s art a rare blend of substance and subtlety.
In addition to producing the immersive experience, ArtToday.tv will be publishing a short video documentary about the making of Dreams of Medusae, along with artist interviews and virtual walkthroughs. This ensures that even those who can’t visit MAQRO in person can engage with the story and spirit of the work.
The Exhibition as Ecosystem
At a time when immersive art is often reduced to Instagrammable moments or tech gimmicks, Paper Reimagined offers something deeper: an ecosystem of meaning. It’s about the meditative process of making. About the fragility of our oceans and the magic of natural forms. About art as a space for contemplation rather than consumption.
Plan Your Visit (or Virtual Dive)
Whether you’re a local in Querétaro, an expat in San Miguel de Allende, or a global arts traveler, Paper Reimagined is worth the journey. The exhibition runs through May 18, 2025. Bilingual docents are available for guided tours, and accessibility options are in place for visitors with disabilities.
If travel isn’t possible, don’t worry—TerryAnnTomlinson.com and ArtToday.tv will offer a range of digital content including behind-the-scenes blogs, photo essays, and video previews.
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