pilar studios .com
photo by Theo Preiswerk
artist bio for T.W. Pilar
Philosophy meets visual art in Pilar’s designs. Based in Atlanta, this artist creates fine art inspired by philosophic research, and observations of the “structured world”-a term to describe mainstream systems like capitalism, social stratification, consumerism, and materialism and how an individual interacts within them. Her specific area of focus being the relationship between ethics and aesthetics, and how they overlap with the environment. These systems and the environment share more than a planet, but an unspoken code of “gradual destruction”; the observation that heat, pressure, weight, movement, and exposure are catalysts of change as physical, mental, and social entities -arguably the most inherent principle of existence. In order to demonstrate that aesthetics influence ethics, Pilar uses these same units to form her impactful artwork and builds on the unseen connections between humanity and nature.
These monochromatic designs demonstrate new ways to view the industrial byproduct and infrastructure between the 17th and 20th centuries, a period of innovation in history that has greatly impacted humanity’s progression. She utilizes materials that represent a cultural attachment to industry, such as plastic and steel, and incorporates elements of nature, such as wood and petrified moss. The textures that motif her work are a reflection of the natural world, appearing akin to stone, bodies of water, and aerial forests, encapsulating the simultaneous beauty and violence in the patterns and shapes created as a result of organic processes and even the processes themselves. The word natural typically refers to anything not made or caused by humankind, and yet, according to Pilar, human ingenuity and labor are also elements of the natural world. The combination of resources, ideation, and manufacturing that have created new materials and means of production, as the artist states, are “second nature”.
Her practice is most often associated with environmentalism, and though Pilar has stated she is an advocate, and hopes the work’s influence can contribute to climate awareness positively, she aims only for her work to provoke introspection amongst her viewers. She notes, industry may have a direct responsibility to the ecological issues humanity currently faces, but believes industrial advancements are a natural adaptation and our civilization is merely at a point of navigation. Taking reference from philosophers like Murray Bookchin, Timothy Morton, and Theodore Adorno, as well as inspiration from artistic movements like Arte Povera, Pilar is developing her own philosophies and turning them into tangible works of fine art. Her own writings on these subjects drive the material exploration in the designs which reveal new insights, connections, and ideas to further the development and understanding of modern experiences.
To date, Pilar has been featured in publications such as Jezebel Magazine, Arts Atlanta, and Atlanta Journal Constitution in write ups and critical reviews, from minds like Jerry Cullum. She has also spoke in interviews with Voyage ATL, Canvas Rebel, and WABE’s City Lights, as well as panel discussions with The Oxygen Project, and hosted events to connect directly to other artists and her peers. Her work’s ideology is amplified by these efforts of community engagement, and public speaking, as it has proven to be a powerful tool to encourage self-education and introspection.
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“As of right now, Pilar Studios is preoccupied with material studies, form and texture, and relationships between contradictory visuals. The work is an experimental process that uses overlooked materials to visibly demonstrate the connections between ethics and aesthetics in our culture. Aesthetics are extremely powerful in that they can influence ethics, as well as sway an individual or community toward new ethical standards. One’s code of ethics are an aesthetic choice that dictates how we are seen, interact with, and make changes in the world around us. I believe that if we live in a world where value is associated with beauty perhaps beauty can influence cultural values and encourage a reevaluation of the ethics behind them.”
- T.W. Pilar
Publications/Interviews/Write-Ups