Paintings
Darker than Black
World's Cosmic Big Bang
JoJo Madigan's Wheelchair Essence
Jesus Stuck in Chewing Gum Again
Dipping in and out of mania again
Humans parading in animal skins
Those bad, dark days
Stitched up in Japan
Re-arranging the DustArtistic Statement
Ashcroft uses a variety of non-traditional materials including glitter, plastic figures, hanging air fresheners, toys, magnetic letters, and electric lights to create non-objective assemblage paintings. By incorporating the commonplace, these works intentionally question the notion of kitsch, yet they are elegant and highly formal.
The seductive charm of her work is engaging, using ready-made materials, typically thought of as crass or garish, to create intricate and delicate works. Ashcroft merges urban culture and perception: the way we look at the world, building up an image of the whole from different fragments of travel (looking and reacting to culture) and humour (universal language). The paintings go through a long process of rumination and re-working, embracing, yet challenging, aesthetic traditions and their critical interpretations. In her work she merges the impersonal physicality and the laborious and obsessive aspects of craft, Ashcroft’s works proclaim their own objectiveness yet project the poetic sensibility and self-referential gesture of the individual.
From the personal patina of intricately hand stitched sequins to a synthetic sense of the sublime found in the sparkle of glitter, Ashcroft is exploring new territory of art and beauty, celebrating her love affair with painting.
From childish cute to spellbindingly tactile, the paintings have proved popular in exhibitions with visitors attracted by luscious colours and sumptuous textures.
Lisa Ashcroft 2006