In Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and Presence

Reveling in the interplay of light, material, and space, Lillian Blades creates expansive and immersive installations that reflect on how we experience pattern and texture. Through the Veil, now on view at Sarasota Art Museum, marks the artist’s first institutional solo exhibition, bringing together a sweeping array of the Atlanta-based artist’s large-scale works.

Blades takes a multimedia approach to tapestry, combining fabric, stained glass, wood, acrylic, and found materials to create glimmering surfaces. She suspends some pieces from the ceiling, meandering through the gallery space like mixed-media curtains, while other assemblages hang on the wall. Colored light bounces onto the floor, and the loose latticework casts dramatic shadows onto the surrounding walls.

an assemblage made from tapestry elements and dozens of picture frames
“Perennial” (2024)

“My patchwork veils are wired tapestries of images and texture…I want it to feel complex but simple at the same time,” Blades says. “I want the details and the objects to carry memory and trigger viewers into thinking about their associations with certain patterns and textures.”

Through the Veil continues in Sarasota through October 26. Find more on the artist’s website and Instagram.

an installation view of colorful, suspended mixed-media tapestry installations
a detail of rectangular pieces of colorful material, part of a suspended tapestry installation
a suspended mixed-media tapestry installation made of black pieces of material, casting shadows on a gallery wall
a colorful, suspended mixed-media tapestry installation, casting shadows on the wall
an abstract wall artwork made from assembling numerous pieces of different material
a colorful, suspended mixed-media tapestry installation
an installation view of suspended mixed-media tapestry installations
Installation view of ‘Through the Veil’ at Sarasota Art Museum
artist Lillian Blades standing on a step stool and working on a suspended mixed-media tapestry installation
The artist working in her studio. Photo by Marie Thomas

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article In Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and Presence appeared first on Colossal.

©

Related Posts

Olivia Bossy Esm Studio Redfern Creative Workspace Photo Tom Ross Yellowtrace 01Olivia Bossy Esm Studio Redfern Creative Workspace Photo Tom Ross Yellowtrace 01
Playful and Purposeful: ESM Studio in Redfern...
  Olivia Bossy cordially invites us to experience the harmony between...
Read more
5 Advantages of Using an Interior Designer for Your New Home5 Advantages of Using an Interior Designer for Your New Home
5 Advantages of Using an Interior Designer...
Moving to a new house creates a lot of excitement...
Read more
Lousy CarterLousy Carter
'Lousy Carter' star David Krumholtz on finding...
David Krumholtz introduces us to the layered lovable curmudgeon that...
Read more
In Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and PresenceIn Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and Presence
The Standard, Pattaya Na Jomtien: A Coastal...
The Standard has announced its latest Southeast Asian destination: The...
Read more
In Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and PresenceIn Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and Presence
Melding Two Crafts, Caroline Harrius Embroiders and...
All images © Caroline Harrius, shared with permission Stockholm-based ceramicist Caroline...
Read more
In Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and PresenceIn Immersive Mixed-Media Tapestries, Lillian Blades Reflects on Pattern and Presence
This wooden chair uses a geometric trick...
We’ve seen quite a number of chair designs that revolve...
Read more