Art
#Alexis Hilliard
#collage
#nature
#paper
![a deer with illuminated antlers stands in the center of a forest that appears to glow with light](https://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hilliard-4.jpg)
“Forest God” (2022), collage on panel, 18 x 18 inches. All pictures © Alexis Hilliard, shared with permission
Portland-based artist Alexis Hilliard describes her collages as “visible symphonies,” mixing quite a few pictures and archival supplies to create harmonious compositions. “Typically I take advantage of complete pictures, not minimize 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 be aware into the combination.”
An avid collector of pictures, Hilliard scours every thing from historic archives to grease work to Pinterest boards, amassing a group of tens of 1000’s that span all kinds of themes and content material. And she or he can be drawn to working in quite a lot of scales. “After I first began, I labored so much with WWI and WWII pictures, however the collage approach itself rapidly turned the purpose…There’s something to creating massive artwork items, those that encompass your peripheral sight and evoke the chic,” she says.
Hilliard explores a spread of themes that tie collectively historical past, the volatility of nature, grandiosity, vulnerability, and extra. She usually emphasizes focus, like working stags or a silhouetted couple seated on a bench, within the foreground of huge and dramatic landscapes. “I’m not one of the best at perspective… however that additionally offers me the shameless potential so as to add 8 vanishing factors with reckless abandon,” she says. “It’s a enjoyable method to play with perceived guidelines and break free from expectations—even your individual.”
Hilliard paperwork a lot of her course of, which yow will discover on Instagram.
![](https://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hilliard-3.jpg)
“Volcano Research No. 2” (2021), collage on panel, 6 x 6 inches
![](https://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hilliard-5-scaled.jpg)
“White Stags” (2020), collage on panel, 18 x 14 inches
![](https://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hilliard-6-scaled.jpg)
“With the Present” (2016), collage on panel, 48 x 36 inches
![a collage of an explosive fire and volcano with spectators in the foreground](https://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hilliard-1.jpg)
“Portrait of Pele” (2022), collage on panel, 10 x 10 inches
![a black and white collage of people on the top of a submerged car in a flood](https://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hilliard-2.jpg)
“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 right now and assist unbiased arts publishing for as little as $5 per thirty days. You may join with a neighborhood of like-minded readers who’re keen about up to date artwork, learn articles and newsletters ad-free, maintain our interview sequence, get reductions and early entry to our limited-edition print releases, and far more. Join now!