Jon Eric Riis

Considered by many to be the nation's leading contemporary tapestry artist, Jon Eric Riis has perhaps more than any other artist taken the ancient craft of hand-woven tapestry to the level of important contemporary fine art. Often imbuing his subject matter with highly critical social and cultural ideas, Riis' provocative art is as important for its content as it is for its stunning execution and unmatched technical prowess. Jon Eric Riis creates extraordinary works of woven silk and metallic thread with textured undulating surfaces of hand-stitched pearls, coral and glass beads. The meticulous works are supremely crafted, astonishing in visual effect and profound in concept. The tapestries of Jon Eric Riis can be found in the permanent collection of The Art Institute of Chicago as well as the American Craft Museum in New York and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Museum of Art, Washington D.C., among others. He is past recipient of many awards and grants including National Endowment for the Arts, Fulbright Grant and a prestigious Honorary Award at the 10th International Triennial of Tapestry, Lotz Poland, 2001.