I don’t in any way want to convey that my adoption, nor my sister’s were as tragic or imposed but I somehow feel that the feelings of disconnection, displacement or lack of belonging, whether real, subtle or perceived in our cases stirs a strong empathetic nerve. I wonder about blood connections and cultural ties and influences or the lack of them …I chose in the end to do a portrait of my sister, Heather, also adopted, five years ahead of me.

Her adoption story was far more complex and she herself gave up a son when she became pregnant as a teenager. Heather not only sought to find her biological parents but to reunite with the son she gave up as well. Her biological parents were adults, and she had 4 older step siblings when she was born and placed into adoption. A complicated situation that she learned from them when they connected.

Heather connected with her own son and developed a relationship with him as well before she herself died of cancer in 1995….

-Holly

Holly Hildebrand is a mixed-media artist whose work is rooted in the grungy, textural, and thoughtful language of materials. She creates tactile compositions that explore themes of earth, identity, memory, and spirit. Her practice centers on assembling worn fragments— stitched cloth, aged photographs, lace, and pigment—into surfaces that feel weathered yet intentional, inviting viewers to slow down and connect with their own stories.

Holly’s work reflects her belief that art is both a personal and communal act—a way of making sense of experience, of stitching together what might otherwise be lost, and of honouring the stories we carry. Her approach continues to shape a practice that is as tactile as it is contemplative, inviting viewers and participants alike to slow down, feel, and reflect.