Issy Wilson

Issy Wilson is a London-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 surroundings from the seemingly mundane to the extraordinary: noticing water stains on pavement and moss growing in the cracks of bricks to experiencing the breathtaking views of the national parks and ancient forests.

In 2020, Issy embarked on a transformative journey along the Appalachian Trail, hiking approximately two-thirds of the 2,200-mile trail, and completing it 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 ecosystem 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 in a green, dendritic, mixed-media quilt. Currently, her focus is on creating a more sustainable art practice, using inks, tea, and recycled emulsion paint. Since moving to London in September 2023, she’s developed a new series, Ecdysis, of paintings, drawings, and textiles utilizing these materials.