Rising Stars: Meet Eliza Redmann of Durham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eliza Redmann.

Hi Eliza, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Eliza Redmann. I am a sculptural artist and architect based in Durham, North Carolina. I’m originally from Minnesota, and I moved to the Triangle in 2013 to complete my Master of Architecture at NC State College of Design in Raleigh. In 2016, I was hired as a designer at an architecture firm in nearby Durham. By 2018, I was settled in my new city. I had made friends, bought a house, and was on track to pass all of my architecture registration exams. One evening I was driving to an intramural soccer match when a car traveling in the opposite direction came into my lane and hit me head-on. I suffered a massive traumatic brain injury and neck injury and was immediately taken to the emergency room via ambulance. The next year and a half was a confused migraine haze of doctors appointments and general survival struggle. I was isolated, grief-stricken from losing my lifestyle and profession, and suffering from chronic pain. Then the pandemic hit and exacerbated an already difficult situation. I was in poor health and spirits and needed to create forward momentum for my life.

One day I went to the workspace in the basement of my home and just began. I began creating, exploring showing up for myself through design. I utilized my uncertainty about my future and entrapment in my body as a catalyst for unlocking my deep creative potential. My goal was nothing short of reimagining and reinventing my life.

Following that intuition to “just begin” has led to an explosion of commissions and design explorations. While my work is indeed impactful visually, more importantly, it has been the primary driver behind the recreation of my health and the reimagining of my life’s purpose.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
My work is uniquely informed by the car crash and traumatic brain injury that interrupted my architectural design career. Simplicity is both the constraint and the strength of my brand, Folded Poetry. Visual migraines limit the amount of screen time I can do, and as such, the bedrock of Folded Poetry is the use of a small number of simple forms which can be arranged to create complex geometries. These designs are inspired by persistent visual disturbances caused by my traumatic brain injury. Often when I look at patterns, they appear to swim or move on their own accord, much like an optical illusion. Through this work, I seek to capture the structure of regular patterns and shapes while adding a layer of geometric information that the eyes and brain can’t quite understand. My work challenges the viewer to perceive outside of what is normal or traditional, just as I must now live, adapt, and navigate the world in new ways. Drawing upon my architectural training and skills in craft and construction, I have brought my work to a large scale by creating free-mounted geometric sculptures. I’ve also pioneered creations of ‘acoustical art’ pieces – beautiful art that serves to make spaces more quiet and accessible for individuals such as myself who struggle with auditory overwhelm. My work pushes beyond framed art pieces and navigates where aesthetics meet functionality.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Self-care is central to my life and my career as an artist. I worked full-time as an architect for about two and a half years before that car crash changed the trajectory of my life. It still astounds me how deeply capitalist culture and the 40-hour work week embedded into my perception of self-worth. Departing from that mindset is the conscious choice that brought me down the path I’m on now, one of following my inner truth, radical self-care, and prioritizing my health. I began this work because returning to architecture was not an option due to my traumatic brain injury. I need help with prolonged screen time and reading. Directly after my car crash, I spent many months injuring myself, attempting to “go back” to my previous life. But there is no “going back,” only forward. When I allowed myself to grieve that loss and sit quietly in that realization, this art bubbled up from my deepest, truest self. Meeting a productivity standard in my mind and untethering my self-worth from it is still a daily challenge. Slowly, over time, that fear of not doing enough, of not being enough, is turning into a hunger for success. Now I seek to achieve a thriving art business not because it’s what I’m “expected” to do but rather because it’s what I want for myself, and after everything I’ve been through, I deserve it.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The number one lesson I’ve learned by necessity is that health is the number one wealth. Without it, our capacity to not only produce but also to enjoy life is compromised. Health is fleeting and should never be taken for granted. Regarding design, I’ve learned that “I don’t know” is the dream killer. It’s Resistance in disguise. This Resistance seeks to protect us from failure by keeping us in our comfort zone, but in doing so, it prevents us from reaching for our dreams and realizing our full potential. Every time my brain spits out an “I don’t know,” I reroute that thought into, “It’s my job to get curious and figure it out!” My motto is “completion beats perfection.” Perfectionism is also Resistance. I have never created a ‘perfect’ piece of art. Because I’ve chosen not to let the fantasy of ‘perfect’ hold me back, I’ve produced a large volume of work and become an even better designer and craftsperson. What isn’t ‘perfect’ is a lesson learned – and I love to learn!

Contact Info:

• Website: foldedpoetry.com
• Instagram: @folded_poetry
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-redmann-940910250/
  Eliza Redmann currently has artwork on display at 311 Gallery in Downtown Raleigh.

Image Credits
The following photographs were taken by Matt Ramey: cover photo with yellow background, photos where Eliza is wearing a teal shirt, and the flat-lay photo of the purple artwork in process.