Shiloh Lillith: Bead Artist
by Don Pierce
BEADWORK magazine, April/May 2002
Shiloh Lillith is an artist. An artist who just happens to use beads as a major part of her work.
She first came in contact with beads during the Summer of Love in the Haight - Ashbury district
of San Francisco. She didn't think of beads as an art form at that time, only as
adornment – part of the costume of the day.
It wasn't until many years later and much experimentation with other art forms and mediums that
Shiloh rediscovered beads. She found Jeanie Bard's studio and shop, the Original Bard, in Newport, Oregon,
and began to experiment with various beading techniques. When she saw noted loom worker
Virginia Blakelock's work, she became really inspired by its complexity. However, she soon found that
it was too restrictive for her. So she began working with the single needle applique technique that Jeanie was teaching.
The technique's fluidity allowed her to express the things she needed to get out. Since that time beadwork has been a central
force in Shiloh's life. Her earliest works took the form of big dramatic neckpieces, but she
soon moved on to the larger format of sculptural wall pieces which allowed her the space to express herself.
Shiloh's works are multimedia, employing beads, shards of mirror and glass, sand, paper, wood and clay
as well as wood and rusty razor blades, and various other materials.
Most of her works include written messages as well. Her color palette is heavy to reds, oranges and blue.
On a recent visit to Newport, I set up an interview with Shiloh . She showed up after a thirteen-hour shift in the
hold of a fishing boat, tired, and with a decided aroma of fish.
After a shower and a short nap she returned back to normal. She is a striking women with wild red hair,
and she exudes an aura of good will and energy. She is a strong, open, and giving person, but she's vulnerable to
the takers of the world.
Shiloh grew up as an army brat and has strong memories of lonely pre-teen years in Germany where she spent countless hours
exploring old museums and churches.The dark images of religious icons and Gothic and Byzantine art
have stayed with her and are a definite influence.
All Shiloh's work is autobiographical, and in most of her major pieces she is the central figure, easily
identified by the red hair. Her work reflects life experiences and periods of great trauma. Her work is at
the same time beautiful, compelling, dramatic, and somewhat challenging. It is never just pretty.
You understand the angst and pain that she has felt and you suspect you may be seeing some of her soul.
Please see "Wall Pieces" which are representative of the works referred to in this article.
