Thoughts on identity...

Identity is a subject that re-occurs in everyday life much more than we realise. Few of us take the time to really consider it. Most of us would find it difficult to explore, but Holden's investigations of her own identity procures the most imaginative visual results.

The process of putting her reflections into a visual form is as complex as the subject itself. Lisa Holden's work reveals her life both psychologically and physically through stratification. Photographs are taken, pulled, stretched, snapped back, blended, overlapped on the computer. Others are painted or varnished then re-photographed and worked into the images.

This combination of disciplines act out the variety and conflicting elements that make up any individuals persona as a result of their life so far. Psychologists always delve into childhood, family and relationships. In fastidiously looking at her own life Holden embarks upon her own self-analysis with her eyes wide open. There is a conflicting comfort in knowing more about ourselves, both to understand, forgive, resolve, accept and move forward.

For those who see this as a self absorptive act I say, you are wrong. Often understanding oneself is the key to understanding others. This is by no means a selfish act, but one of humanity and depth.

I'm happy to dive into Holden's art and let the waters run deep above me. Peel back the skin and we are all the same underneath after all...

Let me count the ways...

As many of you know I frequently blog about about the current exhibition at Diemar/Noble Photography. This is no exception. However, the way I feel about this show runs very deep. Lisa Holden's work is a joy to behold. However, please don't take my word for it as seeing it in the flesh far outweighs anything I can say in this blog.

To be truly inspired by Holden's images, one must dive into dark waters in order to resurface in the bright light than shines above. Her work is rooted within herself yet draws upon many experiences all of us have in our lives. Holden delves into her past, present and future to display the harsh realities of her life as an adopted child, through to her exploration of herself as a woman in todays society and her body. These self portraits differ so much it is easy to think that there is more than one model. Each work is multi-layered to the point that each plane blends into the other yet with a clarity that floats like oil on water, building imagery so complex that you find yourself succumbing to it completely, rather than trying to pick apart the layers.

Each composition can contain anywhere between 5 to 70 layers. Photographs are scanned, pulled, stretched, varnished, broken down, put back together & worked on until they are finished. Holden's perfectionism means that she works on many images at once, only the best make it into a series. She often has things printed & if she is not happy with the results, they are discarded. In working on a computer screen the scale of the work once printed can change a piece dramatically. She is a true artist in every sense, committed, disciplined & always striving to create something worthy.

In exposing herself through her work we can see into her soul & if you look hard enough your own too...