Her work investigates the simultaneous impermanence and tenacity of the natural world, while referencing her personal history and interest in the tradition of embroidery and textile work in Bulgaria.
Lilian Shtereva, born and raised in Bulgaria, is a New York City - based artist. Her work investigates the simultaneous impermanence and tenacity of the natural world, while referencing her personal history and interest in the tradition of embroidery and textile work in Bulgaria. Sewing and embroidery act to transfer the artist’s intention and energy into the cloth in prayers of “well-wishes” and “protection”, honouring the reliance on and reverence for nature. Quilting technique called “trapunto” is applied throughout the work, constructing padded, soft volumes that resemble body limbs to create a “structure of comfort.”
In 2019 Lilian received the Define American Immigrant Artist Fellowship, and the Soze Foundation Artist+Activist grant (2020). Lilian’s work has been included in group shows: Terrarium at Ice Cream Social, Port Chester, New York (2022), Did you too see it, Drifting, All night, on the Black River, Ely Center of Contemporary Art, New Haven, CT (2022) and The 6 ft Ap’Art Show, 6 ft Ap’Art Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2023). Lilian has participated in artist residencies and programs throughout the country and abroad including Noce Fresca, International Artist In Residence, Sardinia, Italy (2022), Walkaway House, Artist In Residence, North Adams, Massachusetts (2022), Winslow House, Artist In Residence, Vallejo, California (2023).