Lilli Lanier at Cafe Alma

If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit Lilli Lanier's mesmerizing show at Cafe Alma, the time is now! This wonderful collection of over sized portraits crafted from thousands of meticulously folded pieces of origami has been a cafe favorite this Summer. The work is on view until September 1st.

Lilli was born and raised in San Francisco and attended the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. She graduated from California College of the Arts in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Lilli works in a variety of mediums and specializes in large-scale origami portraits like the ones currently on display. For the past twenty five years, Lilli has taught art in public schools, museums, libraries and community centers.

Lilli's art career began at a very young age and with quite a lot of influences in her family including her ceramicist father and artist grandmother, Ruth Asawa.

Check out this recent article about her work at the cafe: https://missionlocal.org/2025/08/ruth-asawas-grandaughter-shows-portraits-at-sfs-hunters-point/ and stop by for a latte to take in her incredible talent!

Here's my personal favorite piece in the show:

Origami Portrait of Virgen de Guadalupe, 2025

And I love this one of one of my of personal heros and inspirations:

Origami Portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 2021

And I love this one of Lilli's young grandmother:

Origami Portrait of Ruth Asawa, 2022

This entire body of work is really special. I hope you'll get the opportunity to visit!