Jan, 2025
Metaphorical Cells: Between Memory and Matter
Metaphorical Cells: Between Memory and Matter
Jillian Lee Adamson (b. 1977, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) is an interdisciplinary artist based in East Lothian, Scotland. Her journey has been as multifaceted as her work: a neurodivergent, Mad-identified, formerly homeless high school dropout, Jillian’s life experiences have profoundly shaped her creative practice.
Jillian attended the Minnesota Arts High School at the Perpich Center for Arts Education with a focus on Media Arts. Jillian furthered her education at Minneapolis College, where she studied Cinematography under Professor Bruce Mamer. During this time, she also pursued various artistic disciplines, including photography, ceramics, printmaking, theatre and voice. In 2024, Jillian earned a First-Class BA (Hons) in Painting from Edinburgh College of Art.
Jillian’s artistic practice centres around the meditative and tactile process of slow stitching, transforming needle and thread into Metaphorical Cells—symbolic representations of resilience and recovery. These intricate embroideries, delicate yet inherently strong, reflect her lived experiences and offer a space for processing trauma through mindfulness. Each stitch symbolises the strength derived from tension, repetition, and connection, echoing the paradox of fragility and resilience.
Her work explores themes of survival, resistance, and the human capacity to heal, inviting viewers to reflect on their own inner fortitude. Through her art, Jillian not only weaves together threads but also the stories and emotions that bind us all.
Artist's Website
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