Where the light lies - Lisa Henderson

Both Floors

Lisa Henderson grew up in Cardiff and began her studies at the Central School in London. After studying Fine Art and Art History at Nottingham University she returned to London and achieved MA at the Courtauld Institute.

As Visual Arts Officer for West Midlands Arts (Arts Council England West Midlands), she was in constant touch with artists, designers and makers but had little time for her own work. Now, while continuing to lecture, she is able to concentrate on her studio practice and exhibit extensively throughout the UK.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Lisa considers her ongoing passion for both historical and contemporary art and design to be an essential source of stimulation and nourishment in her own work.

‘Where the light lies’ brings together works that are driven by colour, texture and pattern sometimes observed and sometimes created. There are several themes concurrently at play though all are broadly concerned with the landscape and related surfaces.

Many of the paintings, using acrylics on collage, are instinctive and remembered responses to landscapes and landforms employing varying degrees of abstraction. This includes an ongoing series of paintings taking aerial perspectives at varying altitudes.

The drawings, usually in pastel and charcoal, are similarly inspired by texture and patina but range from the richly topographical, to the intimately investigative. Recent work in this group includes the exuberant celebrations of the distinctive graffiti on the ancient walls of Venice, and the wonderfully weathered and neglected doors of Gozo.

To achieve the richness of texture and colour associated with the paintings, many techniques more usually associated with etching and collography are drawn upon including collage, wiping, scratching and gauging both to hold the colour and patinate the surface. At the same time, techniques used in paper making, papier mache and the use of stained pulps have been re-introduced from previous developments in the work. And an extensive bank of inspirational recycled, pre-painted, mono- printed, photocopied and marbled paper is central to the process.

Full advantage is taken of chance and each painting is truly an adventure rather than a planned journey. Holding a balance between process, materials, and intervention allows the work to take an active and essential role in its own creation.