Art
#Alexis Hilliard
#collage
#nature
#paper

“Forest God” (2022), collage on panel, 18 x 18 inches. All photographs © Alexis Hilliard, shared with permission
Portland-based artist Alexis Hilliard describes her collages as “visible symphonies,” mixing quite a few images and archival supplies to create harmonious compositions. “Typically I take advantage of entire photographs, not lower up a lot. That’s like sampling a bass line,” she tells Colossal. “Different occasions, I’m solely utilizing a tiny coloration swatch, in order that’s extra like including a easy observe into the combo.”
An avid collector of photographs, Hilliard scours the whole lot from historic archives to grease work to Pinterest boards, amassing a set of tens of 1000’s that span all kinds of themes and content material. And he or she can also be drawn to working in quite a lot of scales. “After I first began, I labored so much with WWI and WWII photographs, however the collage method itself shortly grew to become the purpose…There’s something to creating massive artwork items, those that encompass your peripheral sight and evoke the elegant,” she says.
Hilliard explores a variety of themes that tie collectively historical past, the volatility of nature, grandiosity, vulnerability, and extra. She typically emphasizes focus, like working stags or a silhouetted couple seated on a bench, within the foreground of huge and dramatic landscapes. “I’m not the very best at perspective… however that additionally provides me the shameless means so as to add 8 vanishing factors with reckless abandon,” she says. “It’s a enjoyable approach to play with perceived guidelines and break free from expectations—even your individual.”
Hilliard paperwork a lot of her course of, which you could find on Instagram.

“Volcano Examine No. 2” (2021), collage on panel, 6 x 6 inches

“White Stags” (2020), collage on panel, 18 x 14 inches

“With the Present” (2016), collage on panel, 48 x 36 inches

“Portrait of Pele” (2022), collage on panel, 10 x 10 inches

“Silly Choices (2023), collage on panel, 18 x 14 inches
#Alexis Hilliard
#collage
#nature
#paper
Do tales and artists like this matter to you? Turn out to be a Colossal Member as we speak and help impartial arts publishing for as little as $5 per 30 days. You will join with a group of like-minded readers who’re captivated with modern artwork, learn articles and newsletters ad-free, maintain our interview collection, get reductions and early entry to our limited-edition print releases, and far more. Join now!