Lisa King
Lisa King is a figurative painter working on an epic scale. Multi-disciplinary and known for her large murals, King is a painter of allegory, with the hidden meaning in her works rendered in realism as spectacular public art.
Image credit: Lisa King, The social status of a vegetable, 2024, present medium: digital diffusion (Markov chain) with iterations and paint in post-production (Wacom) / future medium: acrylic and oil on French linen, 120 x 120 cm. All images courtesy the artist © Lisa King
Can you tell us a bit about your creative process? Is commission work prevalent in public art, shaping your artistic reality? Describe the journey from a commission to a fully realised piece.
In my creative approach, I favour constructing concepts organically from the ground up, akin to the Spanish notion of duende – a creation rooted in the earth rather than the intellect. This raw and instinctive process draws from a lifetime of exploration, encompassing art history, traditional methods and various influences, learned or otherwise.
While my work predominantly involves commissions, they don’t necessarily restrict me to rigid guidelines. Commissioned pieces, for me, aren’t about adhering to a strict brief. I view stifling creativity with preconceived notions as the opposite of true artistic expression. Fortunately, clients often approach me with trust in my ability to creatively enhance a space or idea.
How does the diverse array of influences – from pop surrealism and Ron English to Brett Whiteley, Japanese painting, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Alonso Sánchez Coello, Plato’s Symposium, Dutch and Flemish Masters, and still life painting – shape your painting approach? How do you manage to synthesise these disparate inspirations in your creative process?
I am an avid absorber and observer of the world, profoundly shaped by both its positive and negative aspects. When I encounter an influence, it becomes an irresistible fascination that engulfs me, be it on an aesthetic or philosophical level. Interestingly, my influences often find me rather than the other way around. It may sound peculiar, but I stumbled ... Subscribe to read this article in full
