is an illustrator and textile artist living in Bristol. Combining drawing, printmaking and embroidery, she looks to traditional story telling to create thought provoking visual narratives, often featuring curious characters reminiscent to those found in folk tales. These characters embody ideas and express emotions, exploring morality and cultural values throughout history whilst in turn commenting on modern life.
Recently graduating with an MA in Multi-disciplinary Printmaking, she is now working from BV Studios in Bristol, as well as undertaking an internship with Jacky Puzey Embroidery Ltd. She has exhibited work internationally, including London, Egypt and Japan, and is currently making work for an upcoming exhibition in Denmark.
- When we look at your main piece it brings us to journey, tell us about the story behind the embroidery.
LISA: 'Making Amends' was a combined response, firstly to the brief set by Hand & Lock for their annual competition in 2018, and also my final major project for my MA. The brief led me to research into the textile industry, and how much damage is done through our fast-fashion culture, which then got me thinking about how we take advantage of our environment as a whole. I wanted the viewer to consider the environment we live in, and think about the actions needed to move towards a more eco-friendly future. I digitally embroidered a kind of time lapse onto hemp canvas, with acrylic detail and battery powered LED sequins.
The panel travels through a landscape, first showing a green valley, untouched by humans. The image moves on to show you how humans have helped themselves, altering the landscape to suit their own needs. Farmland transforms into a dystopian cityscape, trees, plants and animals have disappeared, instead there is an iron sculpture in memory of what is now extinct. But all is not lost, the narrative ends with regrowth, a new beginning. The viewer can see the heavily stitched roads being literally unpicked, as a metaphor to symbolise us trying to unpick what we have done, for a more planet-friendly future.
I really enjoyed pushing the boundaries of digital embroidery, and experimented with conductive thread to create a circuit so I could incorporate LED sequins into the piece. Technologically enhanced textiles is something I want to continue working with, it combines perfectly with the tactility of fabric. I want people to interact with my creations, providing unique experiences.
- What kind of relation did you create with the Upholstery?
LISA:
For my collaboration with Ebony Rose Upholstery, we decided that making some cushions inspired by 'Making Amends' would compliment the window display. I chose motifs from the original piece, and reworked them to create three bespoke cushions. Reworking my ideas for decorative interiors was exciting, and has inspired me to start working on some ideas for fabric patterns. I like the idea of creating pattern designs that are decorative, but that also hold a deeper meaning.