“I like the idea that the paintings and sculptures could have their own characters and personalities.”
Name
Lisa Denyer
Profession
Artist
Website
Who are you? What do you do?
I make small abstract paintings/objects that relate to the spaces we inhabit and the visuals we are presented with on a daily basis, including the influence of postdigital aesthetics. Through abstraction, the work explores the polarities of a slow, considered painting process against the sensory overload of contemporary life.
Where are you from?
I’ve spent the past two years living and working in Berlin, but for six years before that I was living in Manchester.
Your style in 3 words?
Colour, paint, materiality.
Your weakness? Your strength?
I’m messy but very organised 🙂
What makes you different?
I only feel different when I have to explain to someone who isn’t in the art world what I do. It sounds completely crazy then.
When did you decide to become an artist?
It’s something I’ve always done, but I think my time at university really cemented for me that I wanted to continue in this profession. From then onwards I became very serious about it.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
Those moments when you become completely lost in the work. When something unpredictable happens and it’s completely right for the painting, that’s the most amazing feeling.
Parts of the process are very contemplative, and I think about creating little scenarios. It’s as though I’m capturing a moment in time of the journey the shapes are making across the picture plane. It makes me think about the novel Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott.
A few words about your favourite creation?
It’s great when the work completely surprises you, and I guess recently that’s happened with the free-standing sculptural pieces, like B-Movie for example. I find them intriguing because of how they are situated between painting and sculpture. I love it when introducing a new material can spark developments like that.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
Philip Guston is a constant source of inspiration. Lately I’ve been looking at the work of fashion designer Pam Hogg too.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
I’d like to try and think about the work more in terms of installation so that there’s a real dialogue going on between pieces. I like the idea that the paintings and sculptures could have their own characters and personalities. It would be great to test out those ideas in a suitable space.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
Contentment/mindfulness/health.
2019: Where are we going?
I’ll be taking a break from Berlin and spending some time in Manchester, but I’ll be back in Berlin in the Summer to prepare an exhibition I’m really looking forward to. It’s a collaborative show between Paper Gallery, based in the UK, and HilbertRaum in Berlin.
When the going gets tough…
I like to do yoga or read. At the moment I’m really into Haruki Murakami. If I can take my mind off of a problem for a while a solution normally becomes apparent.
Your city’s favourite spots?
In Berlin there’s a bar I like called Badfish, I always end up having pickleback shots when I’m there so it’s usually a good night! I also really like the area around Admiralbrücke in Kreuzberg, especially in the Summer. In Manchester, Paper Gallery who I am represented by are great, and there’s a place I like to go to for coffee called PKB.
Do you have a vision?
I try to maintain authenticity in the work, so that I’m led by what’s right for the paintings rather than what’s commercially viable.
Tell us about your future plans…
I’m excited about some shows I have coming up at Pineapple Black in Middlesbrough, Ambacher Contemporary in Munich, a show with Contemporary British Painting in Poland, and Coventry Biennial towards the end of the year.
Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?
That’s so difficult! I think I’d have to say Sweet Jane by The Velvet Underground.
