Previous image 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 / 9 Next image

Liz Collins

Samurai Coat
Now On View

Maker

Liz Collins (American, b. 1968, Alexandria, Virginia), (RISD BFA 1991; MFA 1999, Textiles; RISD Faculty 2003–2013, Textiles)

Title

Samurai Coat

Year

Fall 2001

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

leather, angora, cashmere, cowhide, wool

Dimensions

Center back length: 112.4 cm (44 1/4 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of the Artist

Object Number

2006.108.2

Type

Publications

  • Books

Liz Collins: Motherlode

This groundbreaking volume positions Liz Collins (RISD BFA 1991 | MFA 1999, Textiles) as a singular figure who not only synthesizes fine art, craft, and fashion and textile design, but also fiercely advocates for queer and feminist politics.

Exhibition History

Liz Collins
Motherlode
Jul 19, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026
Evolution Revolution
The Arts and Crafts in Contemporary Fashion and Textiles
Feb 22, 2008 – Jun 15, 2008

Label copy

Knitting technology serves Liz Collins’s work in myriad ways, including the creation of her signature “knit-grafted” garments, made from integrated layers of diverse materials. The hand-guided knitting machine Collins uses grafts leather to the wool as the fabric is created. As in Cat Chow’s Red Zipper Dress, the form of the fabric is realized in relation to the shape of the human body.

A believer in the unifying power of craft, Collins champions knitting as an intergenerational communal activity. Her contributions to her field were recognized in 2006 by the new national award given by United States Artists, who named her their first Target Fellow in Crafts and Traditional Arts.

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Liz Collins (American, b. 1968, Alexandria, Virginia)
Samurai Coat, Fall 2001
Machine-knit angora, cashmere, and Merino wool, with knit-grafted cowhide
Center back length: 112.4 cm (44 1/4 inches)
Gift of the Artist 2006.108.2

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.