This piece is acrylic on wood. The sculpture measures 10" x 7.5" x 1.75" and wired to hang on the wall. 

James Lilly creates intricately painted wall sculptures. These tromp l’oeil pieces utilize a modern laser cutter and traditional sculpting tools. Presented as striking contemporary reliquaries, they appear to be made of metal and stone, with precise details executed down to fabricated screw heads and torch cut steel plating. Beautifully painted and sculpted fish, whales and crabs occupy places of reverence in the center of industrial looking altars. Single words ask questions and define polarities with a thesis capstone word featured within the reliquary. Viewers are left to puzzle out the meanings of these disparate but beautifully combined compositions. Born in Seattle, Lilly ventured to Southern California and Pomona College where he received his BA in painting. Mentored by Karl Benjamin, one of the original op art/hard edge painters from the 1950's James then earned his MFA from the Claremont Graduate University in 1986.

Each piece of Jim's ETA #32 collection includes GPS coordinates as a clue. This assortment of work explores specific locations from both East and West Coasts of the United States.