Iris Rylander // allegory handmade
ABOUT
Iris Rylander is a Texas artist, born in Dallas and based in Austin. She draws inspiration from the line work of tattoo artists, pen and ink drawings, and Albrecht Dürer. She believes the placement of a single line can define or destroy her work and is fascinated with the control and attention to detail that these works require. Iris often portrays elements of nature in her work, whether she’s working with oils, watercolor, fiber, pen and ink, or printmaking. Iris graduated with a BFA from Texas State University. She has since worked under several local artists based in Austin and is now focusing on her latest project, a series of linoleum prints, under the name Allegory Handmade. She is part of Contracommon, an art collective and nonprofit organization that supports emerging artists. Iris most recently showed in a group exhibition at the Good Luck Have Fun Gallery in Austin, TX.
Allegory Handmade is a series of linoleum prints that depict images saturated in symbolism to incite a personal connection to the work. Iris uses the language of flowers and other symbols to create narratives that represent her personal experiences, but also common human experiences in an attempt to connect people. These prints are composed of a repeated tessellation in which different images fit. This allows her to reconstruct new compositions, creating new narratives.