Artist Statement

I am inspired by movement and change. Be it riotous, impassioned dance, rigorous exercise, or the barely perceptible motion of a child growing, these moments of the life force in action are what move me to create.

Currently, my favorite medium is collage, using cut, handmade paper techniques, textiles and found objects. The collaged “characters” in my works are created from quick sketches that capture gesture and feeling. The collaged pieces are informed by hours of traditional visual arts training in drawing from observation. The viewer is drawn into my impression of the moment depicted because I have distilled elements of the subject to a few recognizable details. The collages’ shapes and textures are at once simple, and complex as intense observation of the subject matter has gone into them before I even pick up scissors. Cutting and arranging the shapes is a moving meditation. A piece is finished when the resulting imagery makes me feel as happy as I felt when I first experienced the moment that inspired the piece.

I choose paper, because it is ordinary, yet full of possibilities: it can be made out of almost anything, then folded, cut, torn, made into pulp, formed, and pulped again. This is analogous to life, which can have so many different results, depending on how and where it started, but ultimately it becomes whatever its owner wills it to be. Our lives are created by our own actions. Recycling interesting bits of material into a collage or using a garment that once held significance to make a piece of paper are some of the means I use to achieve the desired ends. So it is, I hope, with my life: I incorporate the useful, and attempt to create beauty out of what is available. The act of creating a tangible piece of art is a vehicle expressing this philosophy. That I often create works that resonate with the children that I teach and their families is intentional. It is an honor to illustrate and document their growth, change and rites of passage. Artists whose work graces children’s books are doubly blessed in my opinion: when children’s books serve as catalysts for genuine conversation, shared laughter and inspiration to action between adults and children, then that artist has truly created a great work of art. I feel that a children’s book that has caused moments such as these serves our society far more than an acquired, untouchable work of art enshrined behind museum glass.

It could be said that my work is autobiographical: I move as often and in as many interesting, new ways as is possible while I am in this body, I love to cook, dig in dirt and my life’s work ensures that I am surrounded by children. I don’t think there exists on earth a greater embodiment of growth, movement, possibility and change. Through my work I reveal the abundant sources of inspiration with which I have been blessed. I invite viewers to bear witness to the everyday miracles in their own lives.

Select Exhibitions & Curatorial Projects

2006

-October 13, 2006. Unveiled: works in oil and collage by Allison Hill and Johanna Vargas at La Llorona Art Gallery, 1474 W. Webster

- August, 2006. VII Women Artists International Conference 2006. Celaya, Mexico.

- June, 2006. Pig Parade on the Avenue. A public display of painted fiberglass pigs located throughout Oak Park’s shopping district by local artists organized by The Avenue Business Association.

- April, 2006. Uneven surfaces: Art Off the Canvas. Phuture Art Gallery, now Lucid Artists’ Co-op, Chicago.

2005

- December, 2005. The Visual Word. Group exhibit, organized by artist Johanna Vargas. Local artists visually interpret selected written works by students of Oak Park-River Forest High School. The Art House, Oak Park, IL.

- October, 2005. Honey and Oranges: Works in Oil and Copper. Arena NYC, Studio and Gallery, New York, New York. First solo show featuring works in oil and copper.