Lisa Jones and Noella Lopez on Invisible Cities Series

Invisible Cities Reviewed by Noella Lopez

Lisa seems to have absorbed a few contemporary art ideas and concepts, blended them, shaken them, and came up with her own sophisticated recipe of uniqueness and personal introspections. Whether she articulates these insights on paper or as a three dimensional artwork, one cannot miss her personal interpretation and be drawn to her curious worlds. She gives us clues to orient ourselves through these intriguing mazes, full of meanders, dead ends, unknown paths, reflections, outbursts, introspections and discoveries. Sometimes we can enter, sometimes she leaves us guessing. Her works are rich, deep, intimate and layered. Her conceptual approach is strong and her imagination boundless. Her artistic choices are bold, yet delicate and sensitive. The “Invisible Cities” artworks are the most exquisite and delicate artworks. The layering of imagery and delicate paper cut outs entice you to look at these “cabinet of curiosities”, mysterious and beautiful, inventive and hidden journeys. Both conceptually and in execution, these artworks are perfect, they are also visually stunning and beautiful.

Noella Lopez 2014

Invisible Cities Series by Lisa Jones

In the past few years, laser cutting has become a key process in my work. The fine degree of cut detail only possible with the laser makes the integration of representations more intense and effective. I use the laser in a similar way to a saw, creating edges and shapes that express the cutting and disjunctions in human displacement. I will use original drawings and retraced historical drawings that are scanned and then reworked on the computer as the basis for these new multiple-layered laser cut works.

In some works the drawn images are laser cut in paper where the paper stands for the body’s flesh, which is then surgically layered, cut, stitched and finally coloured to reflect the scarring of these effects on tissue and skin. Some of the images receive scorch marks and other traumatic effects that reflect various body experiences.

The most significant impact of the use of laser cutting on my practice has been working with a computer to develop ideas beyond my previous use of more familiar sculptural media. Previous works used a similar method to my current work but each layered element was made by hand. The use of laser cutting equipment has moved me from producing single sculptural pieces to large, multi-component installations of laser cut pieces that allow the works to be "layered", enabling research around the notion of repetition and pattern making and its effect on the reading of the original drawn image.

Lisa Jones 2014