Lizzie Gill, a talented artist, believes that to create something uncanny, you must first introduce the familiar. Her intricate still life compositions are akin to a meticulously set dining table, exploring the complexities of matriarchal lineages and the evolving meanings of objects passed down through generations.
In her vibrant works, Gill combines flat backdrops with boldly striped or floral linens, adorned with a variety of animals entwined with fresh blooms. Using a unique technique involving a marble and dust emulsion applied with a baker’s piping tool over acrylic-painted panels, Gill achieves a lifelike texture for the petals. She also employs an image-transfer process to incorporate elements from her mother’s porcelain collection, further intertwining her artworks with domestic traditions.
Gill’s preferred platform for delving into the tenets of Surrealism and the concept of stewardship is the still life. In pieces like “Lunar Still Life (Avec L’hippopotame),” delicate blue and white renderings of a porcelain seal and hippo are intertwined with long stems. Similarly, “Still Life With Four Cerulean Vessels” features a miniature fox with a vine wrapped around its torso, adding a dynamic element to the tablescape.
The vases in Gill’s works are adorned with unexpected scenes depicting volcanic eruptions, rocket launches, and menacing twisters tearing across the landscape. By juxtaposing antique forms with contemporary imagery, Gill explores the contrast between the calm propriety associated with domestic spaces and the world-changing, explosive actions of humans and nature.
Currently based in Sharon, Connecticut, Gill is researching historic textiles for her upcoming works. The stunning pieces featured in her solo exhibition, “Paraphernalia,” at Hesse Flatow until April 26 showcase her artistry and storytelling. Follow Gill’s latest creations on Instagram for a glimpse into her captivating world of still life compositions.
