Civilian is excited to present the work of emerging Brooklyn based artist Trish Tillman. Once a D.C.-native, Tillman moved to New York to pursue her MFA degree at the School of Visual Arts studying under Dan Cameron, Jerry Saltz, and others. This is her first exhibition in D.C. since graduating.

According to the artist, "when a boat is in irons it is pointing directly into the wind, or is too close to the wind to make headway. Therefore, it struggles or is completely stopped dead in the water. Elements of my work possess this ambition of wanting to move forward but with constant barriers or reminders of loss."

Exhibiting for the first time with Civilian Art Projects, Tillman will install site-specific sculpture and new cutpaper works.

In Irons includes architectural elements that both welcome and threaten a guest. "My interest lies in depicting the transformative quality of these elements—being invited, feeling special, unexpected threat and fear, experiencing separation... The style of the work marries a fantastical element (fairy tale/castle gate/dark magic) with a real and comforting element (hospitality items/food/quilt)," says Tillman.

One sculpture, Pajama Party with Murder Holes, is a black open gate with sharp wooden points that hang from the ceiling. Bearing a decorative awning, but appearing like a handmade guillotine, it is both a common entranceway and a warning of danger ahead. A shrunken pineapple is speared to the top referencing the tale of the sailor that upon arriving home stakes a pineapple to his fencepost so that others may know they welcome to visit his wife and family.

Trish Tillman received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in 2009. She has been featured in numerous group exhibitions including shows at the Cue Foundation, Transformer, Arlington Arts Center, Parlour and "New Currency" curated by Dan Cameron. She was awarded the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation grant in 2009 and the David Rhodes President's Award from SVA.

An essay by writer and curator Nicole Caruth will accompany the exhibition. Caruth most recently curated Burning Down the House at the Brooklyn Museum.

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September 10 - October 16, 2010

Opening Reception: Friday, September 10, 7-9pm

Exhibiting for the first time with Civilian, Brooklyn-based Trish Tillman will install site-specific sculpture and new cutpaper works, including architectural elements that both threaten and welcome guests. According to the artist, "when a boat is in irons it is pointing directly into the wind, or is too close to the wind to make headway. Therefore, it struggles or is completely stopped dead in the water. Elements of my work possess this ambition of wanting to move forward but with constant barriers or reminders of loss."