The art of light
Artist Lisa Benson describes herself as ‘a light gatherer’. She uses unconventional methods of photography with a handmade pinhole camera to create beautiful pieces of art.
Benson, a former graduate and tutor at Wintec, is back as the Artist in Residence and has been developing work to showcase in an exhibition at Ramp Gallery – Stellar Garden.
Described as ‘camera-less photography’, her light gathering is part of a series of ‘playful experiments with perception and place’.
Benson is passionate about her work, defining it as more than just photography and says she draws her inspiration from life and “the nature of being a human”.
“I’m interested in the invitation to see things in a different way”
Benson remembers being told in high school by a teacher that she has a special way of seeing things.
In high school she studied sciences, and in art school she did a double major in painting and photography. She said that she used to make jokes about ‘painting like a photographer and photographing like a painter.’
She also credited studying ballet, saying that the ideas of movement are implicated in her practice as well.
Benson says she meditates to help get her into ‘the zone’, and she has advises any aspiring artists is to ‘collaborate’ and ‘work with other people.’
“You grow a lot quicker.”
Benson says that it is ‘an honour and a delight’ to have the chance to be showcasing her work at Wintec.
“It’s a sweet spiral. I was a student here, and then a lecturer here, and now I’m an artist.”
Stellar Garden is being held at Ramp Gallery from September 2 – October 2.
