Peter Gillies

Graduating from Sculpture and Environmental Art at GSA in 2023 my art practice is built on two intertwined elements that inform and support one another. At the core is my studio, which I founded in 2017 and which now houses 20 artists. Leading this space has become central to my motivation as an artist. I'm cultivating a garden, which gives me purpose and feeds my creative activities.

My work explores the distance between my lived existence and my ideal state, where I am closer to nature. Forests, and being in the forest, are recurring themes in practice. I use self-made rolls of painted tape to create multiple collections that depict exploratory moments and arrive at composition through slow, explorative actions.

The theme of disconnection is also reflected in my sculptural papered works. Using Shoji screen paper, which has a rich tradition in Japanese architecture, I create delicate and transformative pieces that invite the viewer to slow down and contemplate. The paper’s light-filtering qualities paired with natural stones offer a new perspective on these objects. Overall, my work seeks to honor tradition while exploring new possibilities, with an emphasis on mindful material use and a connection to nature.