Gladys Nilsson (b.1940, Chicago, IL, USA) first came to prominence in the 1960s with the artist group, Hairy Who, now cited as one of the defining moments of Chicago Imagism. Collage has long been a feature of Nilsson's work, and she is known for her complex, humorous, figurative compositions full of life and joy. Each work begins with a figure, a woman – Nilsson’s persona, who is then placed in a situation. The women are constantly seeking, often journeying on an adventure in the outside world, and can be found traversing rivers, walking through forests, and clambering over buildings. The compositions are anchored by a single protagonist who is surrounded by smaller collaged figures and architectural elements.

'Eddys and Swirls' is a meticulously constructed collage, teeming with tiny figures, and copious references to art history, with a focus on the renaissance. Utilising moments throughout history, Nilsson constructs a timeless reality, with source imagery from countless art history tomes, and discarded library books. In gathering these images, Nilsson creates a complex alternate reality for her women to move through. The title of the work refers to the turbulent action of a whirlpool, which is depicted centrally in the composition, swallowing, Michelangelo's sculpture 'Dying Slave'.