Lillie is an artist whose work embodies the profound beauty of transformation and reclamation. As a transgender woman, her life’s navigation has involved “dismantling and rebuilding cycles—both internal and external”. This journey of self-discovery and renewal informs her art, which focuses on transforming what was once discarded into something vibrant and purposeful
Lillie grew up surrounded by classic cars and hot rods, but it was the bicycle that offered her “ultimate freedom” as a young person, serving as a means to travel and make money. This early experience laid the foundation for her primary artistic practice: the restoration of vintage bicycles.
For Lillie, restoring a bike is a deeply personal and metaphorical act. When she brings a rusty, weather-beaten bike back to life (as seen in the before-and-after images), she reflects on her own beginnings and the changes to her physical form made by “chemical and skilled hands (doctors, nurses)”. The long process of stripping, prepping, or replacing damaged parts is a skilled craft, one where she feels she gives the bike a new life. Just as the doctors who provided he with access to Gender Affirming Care did for her.
Lillie also engages in woodworking, which she views as a form of sculpture. She enjoys the process of “revealing hidden beauty within a solid piece of material” and repurposing things that have been “cast aside” or “left for trash”.
While she initially felt she couldn’t draw as well as her mother or brother, she has embraced the tangible, three-dimensional nature of sculpture. Her artistic lineage may trace back to her bio father, who her great aunt described as an artist as well.
Featured Work Example: One of Lillie’s unique pieces is a lamp crafted from walnut and Lilac wood, featuring uranium glass (See accompanying image
