Lezlie Tilley 

The word Vessel has a multiplicity of meaning but here they are the carriers of message, and pattern. In this exhibition I have made a connection with my days as a studio potter making containers, vases, cups and bowls along with a special interest in ancient South American ceramics. A person can also be regarded as a holder/vessel – someone who receives something spiritual for example.

I chose to work with ancient South American ceramics because of the playful shapes that could carry the contemporary grid pattern. These vessels were highly decorated with abstract patterns that served to inform future generations if important social, spiritual and religious knowledge. These vessels were often shaped into effigies, animals and birds.

Q & A 
Where do you find your subject matter? 
This evolves from past work a bit like a family tree going off in tangents sometimes turning back on itself to become another version.

What techniques do you use? 
Mediums include acrylic paint, acrylic gouache and archival inks because they dry quickly. I use blue painter’s commercial tape for the hard edged works on paper, canvas and lately metal exploring the grid in it’s endless variations. 

Who are your influences? 
My maternal Grandmother taught me to do crossword puzzles long before I knew it was a contemporary compositional device. Victor Vasarely, Bridget Riley, Annie Albers, Agnes Martin are a few artists I am aware of who were exploring visual effects in painting.