Born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, Stephen Wilson is a conceptual artist whose unique medium carries his message. A background in fashion and home design built Wilson’s embroidery-digitizing mastery and creative expertise. In his fine arts practice, Stephen is deeply interested in the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary culture.
Wilson is represented by major galleries across the US, including DTR Modern Galleries (NY, Boston, DC, Palm Beach) and Art Angels (Beverly Hills, Miami). His work is frequently exhibited along with his neo-pop / urban art contemporaries i.e. Robert Mars, Mr. Brainwash, Punk Me Tender; and major contemporary / modern / pop artists such as Warhol, Hirst, and Kapoor. Stephen’s work was acquired internationally by the National Gallery of Art (Sofia, Bulgaria), Minart (Museo International de Arte) Museum (Guadalajara, Mexico) and the Brunello Cucinelli headquarters (Solomeo, Italy), in addition to private and public collections throughout the United States. His work has been publicly-exhibited in diverse locales from the Lincoln Center in New York to Catch in Los Angeles.
Blending predominantly traditional embroidery techniques with 3D printing, laser engraving, painting and found objects, Wilson’s manipulation of multiple materials produces wholly unique works of art. His work reflects high fashion influences, traditional craft and quilting techniques, and a pop-culture aesthetic. His pieces often contain millions of embroidery stitches and take hundreds of hours to create.
When you examine one of his pieces closely, you will notice that each line is created with thread. Fashion influence is prevalent in his work, expressed through the use of luxury packaging and designer fabrics such as Hermès silk, Chanel wool, Ralph Lauren denim, among others. Through this reinterpretation of textiles and found-object assemblage, Stephen’s work evokes questions regarding luxury consumerism and high - low art distinctions. He is influenced by contemporary art, pop art, street art, graffiti and iconography, as well as traditional quilting and handicrafts. Each piece is unique and expertly crafted in his Charlotte, North Carolina studio, using both traditional and modern tools.
