Issy Wilson

Royal College of Art—MA Painting 2024

b. 1997

University of Michigan—BFA 2020

Issy Wilson is a London and US based artist originally from Chicago. Her practice is deeply rooted in the natural world, with a focus on drawing, painting, textiles, and research. She gathers inspiration by observing her environment and applying the processes of our ecosystems to that of a studio practice.

Issy embarked on a transformative journey along the Appalachian Trail and completed this 2,200-mile hike in 2022. This six-month-long adventure profoundly shifted her art practice from a thesis on Pink and feminism, to an investigation into the dendritic and connective tissues of the forest. Her work explores the structures of roots, trees, mycelium, lichen, and mosses, examining how they mirror blood vessels, neurons, rivers, and mountains in their search to form strong organic connections. Her art studio has become an environment of its own, with pieces evolving symbiotically.

This investigation has manifested in various forms: drawings and paintings in the studio, Flower People and murals across the United States, and the Artist Quilt, a collaborative project involving 89 artists worldwide. Currently, her focus is on creating a more sustainable art practice: using inks, natural pigments, cotton fibers, and handmade paper. These paintings, drawings, and textiles have created a new anthology of works that have been exhibited internationally.

On April 24, 2025, Issy will be opening her first solo-show in Wilmette, IL at the Patrician Gallery. Rhizomes will be on display from April 24-May 31, 2025.