Jillian Lee Adamson

About Jillian Lee Adamson

Jillian Lee Adamson (née Brown) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, in 1977. She attended several high schools, including the Perpich Center for Arts Education, where she specialised in Media Art studies. During her final two years of high school, she was also accepted as a post-secondary student to study foundational courses at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. 

Jillian furthered her art education at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, where she studied Cinematography under Bruce Mamer. In addition to cinematography, she also minored in Photography and Ceramics, and took elective classes in Drawing, Printmaking, Painting, Theatre and Voice.

Metaphorical Cells

Using single threads of 6-stranded embroidery floss, a 22.5mm sewing needle, water-soluble fabric and beeswax, Jillian Lee Adamson creates textile works that resemble fantastical cellular structures made entirely of thread. These metaphorical cells are stretched across 125mm sewing needles that have been tapped into a wall. Stretching them in this manner creates a sense of tension, both literal and symbolic.

Jillian’s work is a visual distillation of experiential knowledge gained whilst traversing a world not always designed with her success in mind. Through the rhythmic and tactile process of slow stitching, Jillian uses a needle and thread to create intricate and symbolic representations of her journey. The metaphorical cells she embroiders symbolise resilience and adaptability–a testament to the strength she has cultivated in order to contend with life's many challenges.

Cells are potent reminders of our ability to develop resistance and emerge stronger. The cell's protective membrane symbolises safety and stability, and its ability to cleanse itself through autophagy signifies the paramount importance of self-care. 

By allowing her thoughts to surface without judgement, slow stitching enables Jillian to practise mindfulness and process past traumas in a gentle and non-threatening manner. Her embroidery work's intricate and delicate nature belies its true strength, symbolising the incredible resilience and inner strength within us all. 

A single thread is weak, but when that thread is woven around itself, when it is tied and pulled, knotted and twisted, it becomes nearly indestructible whilst maintaining an appearance of fragility.

Experience

Born

1977 | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

Education

2024 | Edinburgh College of Art | Painting BA (Hons) | Not yet awarded | Edinburgh | Scotland

2018 | Edinburgh College | UAL Diploma in Foundation Studies | Distinction | Edinburgh | Scotland

2017 | Edinburgh College | National Progression Award in Digital Media | Edinburgh | Scotland

1998-2005 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Studied Filmmaking, Media Production, Fine Arts | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

1995-1996 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Post-Secondary Enrollment | Foundation Studies | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

1994–1996 | Perpich Center for Arts Education | Specialism in Media Arts | Golden Valley | Minnesota | USA

Awards and Recognitions

2024 | Selected Artist | RSA New Contemporaries 2025 | Royal Scottish Academy | Edinburgh | Scotland

2024 | Winner of the Astaire Prize | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

2008 | Impact Film Festival | Official Photographer during RNC | St. Paul | Minnesota | USA

2006 | 3rd Place Ribbon in Embroidery | Dakota County Fair

2003 | Access Grant Awarded for ‘Nordeast: Arriving and Changing’ | Minnesota Media Arts Access Center | St. Paul | Minnesota | USA

1994 | Awarded Silver Key for Ben, Xeroxed | Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA
 

Exhibitions

May - June 2024 | Graduate Show| Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

April 2024 | Greenhouse | The Green House Collective | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

April 2024 | Stifle Trifle Part 1 | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

February 2024 | ain’t nobody got time for that: Year 4 Spring Exhibition | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

October 2023 | The Fourth Wall: Year 4 Autumn Exhibition | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

October 2022 | Year 4 Autumn Exhibition | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh

April 2021 | Three’s a Crowd: Year 3 Spring Exhibition | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

March 2021 | @soa.gallery takeover, 1-day pre-exhibition showcase of a series of 15-second films | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

April 2020 | It’s still happening: Year 2 Exhibition | Edinburgh College of Art | Edinburgh | Scotland

June 2018 | UAL Student Exhibition | Memory Obscura | Edinburgh College | Edinburgh | Scotland

July 2009 | Installation; Interactive sculpture, Chill Room design and installation, Old Skoolin’: The Future is in Our Minds | Ecstatic Music | First Avenue Nightclub | Minneapolis.

August 2009 | Installation; Birdcages and Rat sculptures, Old Skoolin’ 2: Fly Free from the Rat Race | Ecstatic Music | First Avenue Nightclub | Minneapolis.

March 2009 | Creative Blood | Altered Esthetics Gallery | Minneapolis

1997 | Honorable Mention for Queen Annie | Lyn/Lake Street Festival | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

1996 | Screening of 8mm film, The Chase, in the Junior Home Girls exhibition | Walker Art Center | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

1994 | Exhibition of Ben, Xeroxed | Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA
 

Publications

2017 | Photograph of Mikkel Beckman | Dog | Musical recording by Charlie Parr

2009 | This week in (uploaded) pictures | l’etoile magazine | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

2008 | Filmmakers overcome ‘Katrina fatigue’ | Rob Nelson | Featured photograph | Star Tribune | St. Paul | Minnesota | USA

05 January 1996 | GIRLS with GEAR – Young artists would rather be movie makers than movie stars | Kristin Tillotson | Star Tribune | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

Event Organisation

2015 | TedX Portobello | Planning Committee | Edinburgh

2013 | Devoxx UK | Events Manager | London Design Centre

2010-2012 | Code 42 | Events Manager and Marketing Administrator | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

Notable Real-World Experience

2008 | Fry Cook | I was not a very good fry cook. | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

2006 | Person who passed leads out to men (because of course they were all men) who were swindling old people out of their money (until she realised what they were doing there, and she quit) | Very Hinky Gold Brokerage that thankfully no longer exists because the owner went to prison | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

2002 | GI Joe Butt Photographer | I eventually ran out of GI Joe Butts | My Dad | White Bear Lake | Minnesota | USA

2001 | Salesclerk at a kiosk that did tarot readings | Fired because the lady I worked for did a reading for me, and then said she had to let me go. She would not explain why. | Minneapolis | Minnesota | USA

1992 | Very large fast-food chain | Team Member | Fired when I cut work to go swimming with a boy I liked. I showed up the next day with a sunburn. Whoops! | Apple Valley | Minnesota | USA

1989–1990 | Apprentice Dog Groomer | The Grooming Station | My sister only paid me a miserly $2 per dog | Blaine | Minnesota | USA

Pre–1989 | Baseball Card Show Lackey/Road Trip Companion | My Dad | I read a lot and spent a good deal of time sitting at a table watching over baseball cards | Every boring town in the Midwest that you can imagine: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois (Chicago was exciting though) | USA