ADANA TILLMAN

"My artistic practice centers around textile and fiber arts, particularly contemporary quilting. Through the layered process of stitching together a mix of found fabrics, hand-dyed textiles, and fabrics from my mother’s personal collection, I create intricate compositions that weave together memory, identity, and cultural history. I often incorporate hand embroidery and beading, infusing each piece with texture and intimacy that is both tactile and reflective.

Quilting, for me, is a powerful means of exploring the complex narratives of Black bodies within the African Diaspora. Each quilt is both a personal exploration and a reflection of the world around me, combining elements of the familiar and the foreign. The fabrics I use carry deep personal significance, often representing memories, experiences from my travels, and the histories of my family. The process of dyeing and stitching these textiles becomes a meditative act, allowing me to connect more deeply with my heritage and the nuances of self-identity.

My work captures the beauty, complexity, and struggles of the Black experience, weaving together a tapestry of personal and cultural histories. As I work, I draw inspiration from the movements of dancers and the rhythms of everyday life, from the vibrancy of fashion and hair to the stories embedded within the textures of my materials. These elements are central to my creative journey as I seek to give voice to both the struggles and the resilience inherent in the African Diaspora."

Adana Tillman born in Akron, Ohio now working out of Atlanta, Georgia as a fiber/textile artist, with a concentration on figurative depictions. She first began her exploration into the art of quilting by the instruction of her mother, who herself began sewing at an early age.  Her work primarily focuses on the exploration of identity and self-expression of her subjects. With the use of various fabrics, she creates intricate quilted textile portraiture works. 

Most notably Adana was awarded the 2019 Garden Fellowship with TILA studios in Atlanta, 
Georgia. This afforded the opportunity to exhibit during Miami Art week. She has recently 
participated in a group show with ECC-Italy that ran parallel with the Venice Biennale.

Her work has been acquired by collectors nationally, including The Akron Main Library. 
Her work bridges the traditional art of quilting into the modern realm with the use of 
contemporary fabrics and patterns and exploration of hand sewn techniques.