Artist Statement
Flesh in Paint: A Contemporary Dialogue
The challenge–to remain at the forefront of figurative, representational work, the ever-present demand of relevancy in contemporary art–is the driving force behind my work and studio practice. Painting and drawing the figure is often considered an archaic practice, outmoded by contemporary standards: the body is understood–defining the individual, the personal identity is an antiquated sentiment. However, the situation, treatment, and placement of the figure within a conceptual framework lend credence to this archaic practice. Significance is in the act of contemplation. Concept is birthed in the mind that resides in flesh. “I think, therefore I am.” –Descartes. Through direct and purposeful manipulation of the physical representation of the human form and media, my work examines the state of being.
Biography
Lisa Bryson is a San Diego, California native. She has a BFA in painting from Arizona State University and an MA in Art Education from Boston University. In May 2017, Bryson was awarded a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and was granted a Teaching Fellowship from UMD. Her work has shown regionally, nationally, and internationally. In April of 2018, Bryson was awarded a prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant in painting. Her work was recently published in the April 2021 edition of The American Art Collector magazine. The Bennett Foundation that supports women artists acquired a portrait from Bryson’s 2021 solo exhibition, titled Homage Series, for their collection.
