TILLY JOOS
Tilly Joos, a young Swiss artist currently advancing her studies in Fine Arts at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), creates work rooted in the exploration of symbols as vessels for meaning. Her artistic practice is an internal voyage , guided by the abstraction and repossession of symbols and familiar imagery.
In her work, Tilly explores the space between the visible and the ineffable, between reason and the unknown. The symbols she paints are reduced to their core shapes and reassembled into new combinations. Like dreams, these symbols emerge spontaneously, taking on life beyond rational explanation, hinting at something that cannot be fully understood by intellect alone.
Tilly's work draws heavily on personal memories, particularly her time spent in her grandmother’s cactus garden. This garden has become a significant source of inspiration, representing resilience, strength, and beauty. The cactus, a recurring motif in her work, reflects her deep connection to both her grandmother’s homes, in both Mexico and Sicily.
Through her paintings, Tilly transforms familiar imagery into symbols, expanding their meanings through abstraction and repossession. She sets organic forms, such as cacti and other natural elements, against bold, flat backgrounds that pulse with energy and color. This interplay between form and space reflects the dichotomy of life—beauty intertwined with sharp edges, resilience amidst fragility. These symbols take on a life of their own, hinting at truths that exist beyond reason or conscious understanding.
In recent works, Tilly has expanded her symbolic language to include motifs such as eyes and pomegranates, integrating them with fiery, energetic forms. These symbols, layered with meaning, explore the complexities of existence—fertility juxtaposed with the fragility of life, protection alongside vulnerability. Her use of bold and contrasting colors heightens the emotional intensity of her work, reflecting the range of ideas she seeks to convey.
Each of Tilly’s pieces serves as a reflection of her inner world, a dialogue between her past, her environment, and the symbolic language she continues to develop. She invites viewers to embark on their own journey of interpretation, connecting with the deeper narratives beneath the surface. Through her art, she offers a shared experience, one that transcends the personal and connects with universal human truths through the vibrant interplay of color, form, and symbolism.