I am a papercut artist, designer and fabricator. I create papercuttings in the Polish Folk Art tradition wycinanki, functional objects and educational interactive exhibits for the public. Although the environmental issues facing our planet often feel insurmountable, I create to ground myself in the things worth saving and make sense of complexity. My work makes use of reclaimed materials, open source scientific data, and casting materials. I am drawn to repetition, symmetry, and multiple layers found in nature, scientific processes and traditional Folk Art. Thematically, I explore dualities including the industrial and natural worlds; tradition and newness; personal and communal; decorative and functional; handcrafted and machine-made. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Health and the Environment from McGill University and a Masters of Industrial Design from Georgia Institute of Technology. I am a member of the Guild of American Papercutters and have worked professionally as an Exhibit Fabricator for the Smithsonian and the Shedd Aquarium producing artifact mounts, animal habitats, tactile models, replicas and interpretive graphics.
I am available for commission, freelance part-time and contract work.
gillian.adeline[at]gmail.com
EXHIBITIONS
2024
Bogs in Art | Group Exhibition | Volo Bog State Natural Area | Ingleside, IL
Mini Show | Group Exhibition | Happy Gallery | Chicago, IL
Paper Trails: Juried Exhibition of the Guild of American Papercutters | Group Exhibition | View Arts Center | Old Forge, NY
2023
Bogs in Art | Group Exhibition | Volo Bog State Natural Area | Ingleside, IL
Catalog, Catalog | Solo Exhibition | Glass Case Gallery | The WasteShed, Chicago, IL
Tales and Songs: Juried Exhibition of the Guild of American Papercutters | Group Exhibition | The Panama City Center for the Art | Panama City, FL
2022
Bogs in Art | Group Exhibition | Volo Bog State Natural Area | Ingleside, IL
Understory: Juried Exhibition of the Guild of American Papercutters | Group Exhibition | Highfield Hall and Gardens | Falmouth, MA
2013
Do you want to go to a museum with me? | Solo Show | ABC No Rio | New York, NY
RESIDENCIES
2024
Artist at Pine Needles Emerging Artist | Science Museum of Minnesota | St. Croix, MN
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2023-PRESENT
Owner, Designer, Fabricator | Snail Catalog | Chicago, IL
2022-2023
Exhibit Fabrication Specialist | Shedd Aquarium | Chicago, IL
2019-2021
Exhibits Specialist | National Air and Space Museum | Washington, DC
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2021-PRESENTMember | Guild of American Papercutters | Somerset, PA