Liz Collins Challenges Common Perceptions of Crafts

In a vibrant exploration of textile-based art, the RISD Museum presents “Liz Collins: Motherlode,” a captivating mid-career retrospective curated by Kate Irvin. Liz Collins, an artist who thrives on the dynamics of materiality, brings forth her unique vision through a diverse body of work that transitions seamlessly from fashion to monumental fabric installations.

The exhibit offers a retrospective view of Collins’s adventurous journey, beginning with her early fashion artistry (1999-2004) that caught the limelight during New York’s Fashion Week. Collins’s creative prowess also shines through her decade-spanning project, “Knitting Nation,” indicative of her deep knowledge of textiles and innovative spirit.

Across her works, Collins challenges the viewer with her use of scale and vibrant color palettes. Pieces like “Royal Embrace” (2019) and “Head” (2023) delve into the fabric of what binds her creations, while “Euphoria II” (2016) teases with the idea of pieces ready to unravel. Her art pushes boundaries, like in “Crying” (2010/2017), where embroidered eyes on silk form tales of emotional depth.

The retrospective invites the audience into a tactile odyssey that contemplates the construction and deconstruction of materials. Collins reimagines her pieces continually, offering interpretations infused with history and technique, using mediums ranging from weavings influenced by various cultures to industrial-scale fabric projects.

For those unable to experience the exhibition at the RISD Museum, Providence’s artistry extends to Brooklyn’s Powerhouse Arts, where another of her large-scale works is featured until December 2025. “Liz Collins: Motherlode” remains open for exploration at RISD through January 11, 2026, beckoning all who can to immerse themselves in this layered visual narrative.