Lillian Morrissey (*1986 in Sydney) is a Berlin-based textile artist with a background in political science, journalism and community activism. She holds a BA of International Politics from USYD (2009) and a BA of Fine Arts (Painting) from NAS Sydney (2015). Trained in painting, she turned to the historically feminine craft of embroidered tapestries to sew narrative scenes that often satirically reflect on history, gender and contemporary politics.
Her large textile works subvert the patriarchal tradition of conquest-narrative mediaeval tapestries such as the Bayeux and Pastrana Tapestries, combining references to martial paintings, mediaeval illustrated manuscripts and monuments in western art history with references to pop culture, gaming and cartoons.The works combine dye-painting with hand and (hand operated) pistol embroidered yarn and cotton. This time intensive and personal creative process grounds the works in the mythical and historical feminist framework of weaving and embroidery as women's recorded history.
With works from the 2022-24 Heroes series, this traditional ‘woman’s’ art form is used to depict scenes of timeless masculine violence in gridded, geometric compositions and decorative elements that allude to patterns from flags, traditional textile ornamentation and coats of arms.
Warriors, soldiers, weapons, monuments, popular narratives of conquest and war: these props are all on stage for the theatre of the ultra-nationalist hyper masculine ideology, identified by feminist political scientist Cynthia Enloe as the phenomenon of ‘militarised masculinity.’ Lillian’s works visually interrogate militarised masculine culture and it's aesthetics, examining the co-dependent relationship between authoritarianism, neo-fascist ideology and politicised masculinity. Her work satirises warrior-hero archetypes, exposing and poking fun at the insecure strongman historical narratives adopted by authoritarian leaders like Putin and militarised alt-right groups such as the Proud Boys.
Lillian's current works cover a range of topics, from new-age conspiritualism to the politics of reproduction. Her new body of work currently in progress, Neomediaeval Fetish, examines the current rise of the far-right in the EU and worldwide, and how it is shaped by the aesthetics of fascist pre-industrial nostalgia propaganda. Drawing from the design and ornamentation of medieval illuminated manuscripts, the works playfully combine references to the fantasy genre of pop culture with political caricatures and references to contemporary political events.
Education
2012-2015 BA of Fine Arts (Major in Painting), National Art School, Sydney
2005-2009 BA of International Politics (Major in Political Economy), University of Sydney
Recent Exhibitions
2024 Analysis of Anger (Group Show) ZfK Kunstverein, Werkschauhalle, Leipzig
2024 Be Here Now (HaK Kunstpreise 2024 Finalist Exhibition) Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin
2024 Habitat (Group Show), Stadtwerkstatt Friedrichshain Kreuzberg, Berlin
2024 Hostile Imaginary (Group Show), gr_und, Berlin
2023 Clams and Daggers (Duo Show), Galerie Russi Klenner, Berlin
2023 On the Edge Of (Goldrausch Group Show), Galerie Weisse Elefant, Berlin
2023 Speculative Properties (Group Show), Adalbertstr. 9, Berlin
2022 New Works (Solo Show), Adalbertstr. 9, Berlin
2022 JTD 10 Years (Group Show), Swamp Gallery, Sydney
2020 Open Studio (Group Show), Adalbertstr. 9, Berlin
2019 Illuminated Geometry (Solo Show), Hue Salon, Berlin
2019 Psychogeographic (Group Show), Fine Art Complex, Tempe, Arizona
2019 Alptraum (Group Show), La Estacion Gallery, Chihuahua, Mexico
2018 Stillborn (Group Show), Flutgraben, Berlin
2018 Deep Maps (Group Show), Dadapost, Berlin
2017 Everywhere/Nowhere (Group Show), SOMA Gallery, Melbourne
2017 QLD Contemporary Art Awards (Group Show), Online
2017 40 x 40 Prize (Group Show), Brunswick St Gallery, Melbourne
2016 Contrary (Group Show), Swamp Gallery, Sydney
2016 Experimental Line (Group Show), Nest Gallery, Sydney
2015 NAS Graduate Show (Group Show), NAS Gallery, Sydney
2015 SPANK (Group Show), Factory 49 Gallery, Sydney
Grants, Prizes and Residencies
2024, Finalist, Haus am Kleistpark Kunstpreise 2024, Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin
2024, Artist in Residence, Culturim Gallery Biesenthal Residency Program, Brandenburg
2023, Selected Participant, Goldrausch Künstlerinnen Program, Berlin
2021, Artist in Residence, Greywood Arts, County Cork, Ireland
2019, Artist in Residence, Real Art Estate, Fehrbellin, Brandenburg, Germany
2017, Second Prize, Queensland Contemporary Art Award, Australia
2017, Finalist, 40 x 40 Art Prize, Brunswick St Gallery
2016, Artist in Residence, Big Ci, Bilpin, NSW
2015, Artist in Residence, Bundeena Bannisters, NSW
2014 Recipient, Marrickville Artist Grant, Sydney