I have created art in many different mediums, but ceramics has been the most conducive to self expression. Through clay I have found a way to channel emotions such as humor, anger, and joy into my sculptural work. It can be a very messy process.
Early on I was inspired by pop-artists who were able to articulate their social and political ideas by referencing comics, toys, and advertisements. Satire and cartooning became an avenue of expression which I’ve never outgrown. Another wellspring of inspiration comes from folk, outsider and ethnographic arts.
The sculptural forms are created using a number of different clay bodies. Multiple layers of underglazes and stains are applied to create detail and depth. My work is generally low-fired (1830 – 1940 F) in an electric kiln…
SOLO EXHIBITS
Altered manifestations, Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL. November 2024
The Good the Bad and the Cranky, Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL. 1996
New Figurative Ceramics, Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL. 1996
Ceramic Fetish Figures, Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL. 1994
Photographs, Franco-Japanese Institute, Tokyo, Japan. 1984
GROUP EXHIBITS
Evanston Made Member Show, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL 2025 - 2022
Club Art, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, IN. 1997
The Gun Show, Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL. 1996
Art for Women’s Sake, OKO Gallery, Chicago IL. 1995
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Crafted, Evanston, IL
Alley Gallery, Evanston, IL
Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL
State of Illinois Artisans Shop, Chicago, IL
WORKSHOPS
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN
Estudio Palloma in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Self-employed Artist, Evanston, IL – Present
Program analyst, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2004-2022
Website producer; Chicago Tribune. 1996-2000
Museum collections specialist and curator; 1977 - 1990
Motorola Museum of Electronics, Chicago Historical Society, Seattle Art Museum.
EDUCATION
MA Anthropology; University of Illinois at Chicago.
BFA in Metal Design; University of Washington, Seattle Washington.
BA Museum Studies; University of Washington, Seattle Washington
yoyoagogo@comcast.net @jlilienf
