Jill Orlov

Meet the Artist

• About This Artist

  My architectural vignettes draw the viewer in to alternative worlds through the manipulation of scale and material. Miniatures encourage taking a closer look, everything condensed in a focused field of vision. Just as when someone whispers, one must lean in and look closely. My vignettes convey a story through the use of classic furniture design and found objects, taken out of context, completely reimagined based on their shape and texture.

• Q&A With This Artist

  Q: Tell us how your work is made.

  A: The majority of my work is made of steel. I cut, shape, and TIG weld off-the-shelf steel shapes into classic and traditional forms of furniture, in miniature. I make all the accessories such as the tiny books (made from paper, cardboard, and fabric) except for a select few found objects including industrial parts and miniature glassware.

  Q: What makes you passionate about the medium and materials you work with?

  A: My favorite part of my architectural training was designing through making models, lots of tiny models. I took my first welding class ten years ago and this new love of working with steel melded with that model making from my college years.

  Q: What is something unique or unexpected about you or your work?

  A: I have always been fascinated by scale taken out of context, especially miniatures. I find it whimsical to incorporate "normal sized" items within my sculptures, giving them a little bit of the "Borrowers".

  Q: Craft can bring with it the experience of delight and moments of wonder in the making process. How does wonder play a role in your practice?

  A: My sculptures are rooted in classic literature and film; although, I always find a way to incorporate whimsy and wonder making them relatable on many levels including nostalgia and reinterpreted memories of my own.

  Q: Is there a person in your life who inspires your work or who has helped shape your artistic practice?

  A: Lebbeus Woods. Drawing is not my strong suit, but I was always drawn to his fantastical worlds.