Artist Statement and Biography
With recent work I have explored the interplay between abstraction and the figurative. Images are recalled from memory or based on recent photographs. I have shifted away from predominantly using unfamiliar found slides as with previous work in my “Road Trip” series and am now working with more familiar scenes, interiors of my own space or roads travelled frequently. I have sometimes mixed the familiar with the unfamiliar within the same work and drawn on illusory or fantasy-like imagery. There is a narrative aspect to the work which can be on a psychological level of the psyche together with abstract objects and figurative elements or symbols.
My interest in painting cars is less to do with the car itself but more the space that it opens up in terms of travelling to places unfamiliar. Often the car and house are reminiscent of familiar scenes in films or in literature and they give an uncanny sense of deja vu. Recently I have zoomed in on the car and looked under the bonnet at its mechanics. Here I have focused on machine parts, and have worked with figure/ground compositions to explore the complexity of these machines. It is as if these machines are caught up in the mechanics of remembering, yet they are detached from their functional purpose and sit as a still life amongst frantic brushwork.
In other works on paper as seen in the series “Linear World Meets the Abstract” I work with a different medium. The watery aspect of watercolour and ink is fully embraced to create a dreamlike watery cave painting feel. Here figures dominate the work as do strange forms and geometric structures. This is the opposite of still life but is life in motion, as if a snapshot of thoughts and memories, or cosmic storms and chaos. They are a reference to the hands of those who painted cave paintings, and an awareness of the present moment, in all it’s possibilities, seen through the hands of the artist.
Lisa McKendrick is a New Zealand born British artist of Mexican heritage. She studied painting at Unitec, School of Architecture and Design, Auckland. Her studio is based in London. She is both a visual artist and experimental sound artist.
My interest in painting cars is less to do with the car itself but more the space that it opens up in terms of travelling to places unfamiliar. Often the car and house are reminiscent of familiar scenes in films or in literature and they give an uncanny sense of deja vu. Recently I have zoomed in on the car and looked under the bonnet at its mechanics. Here I have focused on machine parts, and have worked with figure/ground compositions to explore the complexity of these machines. It is as if these machines are caught up in the mechanics of remembering, yet they are detached from their functional purpose and sit as a still life amongst frantic brushwork.
In other works on paper as seen in the series “Linear World Meets the Abstract” I work with a different medium. The watery aspect of watercolour and ink is fully embraced to create a dreamlike watery cave painting feel. Here figures dominate the work as do strange forms and geometric structures. This is the opposite of still life but is life in motion, as if a snapshot of thoughts and memories, or cosmic storms and chaos. They are a reference to the hands of those who painted cave paintings, and an awareness of the present moment, in all it’s possibilities, seen through the hands of the artist.
Lisa McKendrick is a New Zealand born British artist of Mexican heritage. She studied painting at Unitec, School of Architecture and Design, Auckland. Her studio is based in London. She is both a visual artist and experimental sound artist.
Exhibitions:
2020
Hart Lane Gallery, Atina Artist Residency Group Show, Jan 25
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Centrica PLC, Windsor
2019
Cantanone, Atina, Artist Residency group exhibition, 29 & 30 August
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - rotating exhibition in corporate spaces, Gherkin Building London
2018
No Format Gallery, London, live performance
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Napp, Cambridge
Gallery 46, Bethnal Green London, LIMINALITY
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Gherkin Building, London
2017
IKLECTIK, drawing exhibition
Modern Panic, Apiary Studios, Performance
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Carswell Gould, Southampton
2016
Obsolete Desire - Group Show, 11 Market Way
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Pinsent Masons, Birmingham / Interel, London / Meggitt PLC
View of Delft - New Court Gallery, Repton
Studio 1:1, Art Converters/2016
AVDepot2, Video and live cctv installation, ExFed
2015
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - EY, Canary Wharf
Heads - Group Exhibition, Studio One Gallery
Pancakes and Booze Art Show, Studio Spaces
2014
Hey Days! Bermondsey Project, London
Xylonite Arts, Open, London
Red Xmas, Studio 1:1, London
Art Converters, Studio 1:1, London
2013
Needle's Eye, New Court Gallery, Repton
2012
Bow Arts Open, Bermondsey Project, curated by Bob & Roberta Smith, Skye Sherwin (Arts writer, Guardian), Emilie Faure (White Cube) and Rosamond Murdoch (The Nunnery).
Day of the Dead, Vyner St, London
Needle's Eye, BayArt, Cardiff
Fowle Hall Features Artist Residency and Exhibition, Paddock Wood
BAT Pack III, Mile End Art Pavilion
Needle's Eye, Transition Gallery
Islington Arts Factory, Fundraising Event, London
Equinox, Transition Gallery, London
2011
In an Age of Aeroplanes, You May Fly, SJQ
Auratica Fantastica, New Zealand
Candy Mountains, Arbeit
Little Benefits, Vyner St, London
Open Open, Swiss Cottage Library, London
The Illusion of Art, Courtyard Theatre, London
2010
Bat Pack I, Mile End Arts Pavilion
P1 Space, Bow Arts Trust Open Studios , London
ICA Nash Room, Going Postal Auction, London
St Mary’s Church, London, Music and art exhibition, London
2009
Accident and Emergence, The Flea Pitt Gallery, London
Bow Arts Trust, P1 Exhibition, London
2008
Fieldwork Artists, Arch 635, The Big Day, London
Cafe Gallery Southwark Park, Annual Exhibition, London
101, Bedroom Conundrum, London
2007
Jerwood Contemporary Painters exhibition 2007
Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, London
BayArt, Cardiff
The Lowry, Salford Quays
Portman Gallery, Hung Drawn Quasi Stellar Object, group show, London
The Nunnery, Disposable Fetish, group Show, London
Competitions, prizes and awards:
2014 East London Painting Prize, first round
2012 Bay Art Gallery, Arts Council funding, Needles Eye
2007 Jerwood Contemporary Painters, Jerwood Space, London
Residencies and Talks:
2019 Passaggiatina, Atina, Italy. Residency, performance and exhibition
2013 Culturanze, Salento, Italy, artist talk and presentation of music videos
2012 Fowle Hall Features Artist Residency and Exhibition, Paddock Wood, UK
2012 Franko B, Salon, Bow Arts Trust, artist talk and presentation
2010 St Anne's Catholic High School for Girls, artist talk and workshop
Performances
2012 Goldsmiths Relay, Performance Group Research Group
2012 Goldsmiths Relay stage, Listen Lisse musical performance with live projection by Constance Whiston
2012 Studio 1:1, Pact, Performance Group Research Group
2011 Servant Jazz Quarters, In an Age of Aeroplanes, You May Fly
Curated exhibitions
2016 Obsolete Desire, London
2014 Hey Days, Bermondsey Project
2011 Candy Mountains, Arbeit, London
2011 In An Age of Aeroplanes, You May Fly, Servant Jazz Quarters, London
Publications and Interviews:
2020 The Sunday Tribune
2012 The Artpoint interview with Phillip F Clarke, New York
2012 Trebuchet Magazine, Transition Gallery's First Thursdays
2007 Jerwood Contempory Painters Catalogue 2007
2007 AN Magazine – Jerwood Painters show
2007 The Times – Jerwood Painters
Collections:
James Wallace Collection (NZ)
Education:
2018; Bachelor of Arts, Couns - Glasgow Caledonian University
1998 Bachelor of Design – Painting, Unitec, School of Architecture and Design, Auckland, New Zealand
1994 Foundation - Painting, drawing, set design, professional practice, TV and video, School of Architecture and Design, Auckland, New Zealand
2020
Hart Lane Gallery, Atina Artist Residency Group Show, Jan 25
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Centrica PLC, Windsor
2019
Cantanone, Atina, Artist Residency group exhibition, 29 & 30 August
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - rotating exhibition in corporate spaces, Gherkin Building London
2018
No Format Gallery, London, live performance
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Napp, Cambridge
Gallery 46, Bethnal Green London, LIMINALITY
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Gherkin Building, London
2017
IKLECTIK, drawing exhibition
Modern Panic, Apiary Studios, Performance
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Carswell Gould, Southampton
2016
Obsolete Desire - Group Show, 11 Market Way
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - Pinsent Masons, Birmingham / Interel, London / Meggitt PLC
View of Delft - New Court Gallery, Repton
Studio 1:1, Art Converters/2016
AVDepot2, Video and live cctv installation, ExFed
2015
Little Van Gogh, Work in Situ - EY, Canary Wharf
Heads - Group Exhibition, Studio One Gallery
Pancakes and Booze Art Show, Studio Spaces
2014
Hey Days! Bermondsey Project, London
Xylonite Arts, Open, London
Red Xmas, Studio 1:1, London
Art Converters, Studio 1:1, London
2013
Needle's Eye, New Court Gallery, Repton
2012
Bow Arts Open, Bermondsey Project, curated by Bob & Roberta Smith, Skye Sherwin (Arts writer, Guardian), Emilie Faure (White Cube) and Rosamond Murdoch (The Nunnery).
Day of the Dead, Vyner St, London
Needle's Eye, BayArt, Cardiff
Fowle Hall Features Artist Residency and Exhibition, Paddock Wood
BAT Pack III, Mile End Art Pavilion
Needle's Eye, Transition Gallery
Islington Arts Factory, Fundraising Event, London
Equinox, Transition Gallery, London
2011
In an Age of Aeroplanes, You May Fly, SJQ
Auratica Fantastica, New Zealand
Candy Mountains, Arbeit
Little Benefits, Vyner St, London
Open Open, Swiss Cottage Library, London
The Illusion of Art, Courtyard Theatre, London
2010
Bat Pack I, Mile End Arts Pavilion
P1 Space, Bow Arts Trust Open Studios , London
ICA Nash Room, Going Postal Auction, London
St Mary’s Church, London, Music and art exhibition, London
2009
Accident and Emergence, The Flea Pitt Gallery, London
Bow Arts Trust, P1 Exhibition, London
2008
Fieldwork Artists, Arch 635, The Big Day, London
Cafe Gallery Southwark Park, Annual Exhibition, London
101, Bedroom Conundrum, London
2007
Jerwood Contemporary Painters exhibition 2007
Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street, London
BayArt, Cardiff
The Lowry, Salford Quays
Portman Gallery, Hung Drawn Quasi Stellar Object, group show, London
The Nunnery, Disposable Fetish, group Show, London
Competitions, prizes and awards:
2014 East London Painting Prize, first round
2012 Bay Art Gallery, Arts Council funding, Needles Eye
2007 Jerwood Contemporary Painters, Jerwood Space, London
Residencies and Talks:
2019 Passaggiatina, Atina, Italy. Residency, performance and exhibition
2013 Culturanze, Salento, Italy, artist talk and presentation of music videos
2012 Fowle Hall Features Artist Residency and Exhibition, Paddock Wood, UK
2012 Franko B, Salon, Bow Arts Trust, artist talk and presentation
2010 St Anne's Catholic High School for Girls, artist talk and workshop
Performances
2012 Goldsmiths Relay, Performance Group Research Group
2012 Goldsmiths Relay stage, Listen Lisse musical performance with live projection by Constance Whiston
2012 Studio 1:1, Pact, Performance Group Research Group
2011 Servant Jazz Quarters, In an Age of Aeroplanes, You May Fly
Curated exhibitions
2016 Obsolete Desire, London
2014 Hey Days, Bermondsey Project
2011 Candy Mountains, Arbeit, London
2011 In An Age of Aeroplanes, You May Fly, Servant Jazz Quarters, London
Publications and Interviews:
2020 The Sunday Tribune
2012 The Artpoint interview with Phillip F Clarke, New York
2012 Trebuchet Magazine, Transition Gallery's First Thursdays
2007 Jerwood Contempory Painters Catalogue 2007
2007 AN Magazine – Jerwood Painters show
2007 The Times – Jerwood Painters
Collections:
James Wallace Collection (NZ)
Education:
2018; Bachelor of Arts, Couns - Glasgow Caledonian University
1998 Bachelor of Design – Painting, Unitec, School of Architecture and Design, Auckland, New Zealand
1994 Foundation - Painting, drawing, set design, professional practice, TV and video, School of Architecture and Design, Auckland, New Zealand
