Lara Akrigg
Lara Akrigg

Statement

Art is my way of understanding and experiencing the universe that is both inside me and around me by dissecting it, internalising it then piecing the fragments together into my paintings and sculptures. My recent work reflects the constant motion and fluid nature of my dreams and visions which exist free from the laws of space, time and distance which apply in the waking world.  
The images in my paintings are not separate but instead flow and constantly interact with each other symbolising the connection of all living things.
My interest in art was rekindled several years ago when I began teaching. I asked the children in my class to produce portraits of each other. Within the children’s drawings lay a powerful truth about the beauty and wonder of the world which was free from cynicism and inhibition. This initiated my desire to reconnect with the uninhibited thoughts and emotions of my inner child and bridge the gap between my unconscious mind and my objective, analytical, conscious mind.
I spent 3 years working in Asia and studying meditation and use the techniques I learned to silence my waking mind before painting which enables me to transfer images directly from my unconscious mind onto the canvas. My ego may be responsible for developing the technical skill necessary for bringing my inner vision into reality but it is my unconscious mind which is the unquestionable master of my creativity.
Influences
The world of myths, legends and fairytales which encase both moral and social messages within richly colourful and often surreal worlds has always held a deep fascination for me. Whether in visual, spoken or literary form, these stories not only portray the timeless conflict between good and evil but also illuminate the current moral and political dilemmas that still surround us. The paradigm of shifting perceptions of what is termed dark and what is perceived to be light is the concept I explore constantly through my art in order to develop and reconcile the two within myself.

Profile
A lifetime ago Lara studied sculpture at college before completing a BA degree of arts in Conservation & Restoration. After many years spent travelling the world and working as a teacher both overseas and in the UK, she returned to her first love of art 3 years ago. She began exhibiting her work in May this year and is already gaining both National and International recognition. In the past 3 months she has been selected as a finalist in 2 international competitions and her work has been featured in several publications.

Qualifications

Experience
Sept 2009 – Dec 2009: Teacher of art at the Tibetan Refugee Reception Centre, Dharamsala, India.

July 2008 – July 2009: Responsible for planning the art and design curriculum for year group.

April 2005 – Nov 2006: Extra-curricular art workshops

Past Exhibitions:
May 2010:     Group exhibition - Canal Museum, London.UK.
June 2010:     Group exhibition – Arisu creative arts. UK.
June 2010:     Selected artist – Rise Art Gallery, UK.
July 2010:       Virion screen project – group exhibition.  Australia.

Future Exhibitions:

September 2010:   “The Illusion of Art” group exhibition. London 

October 2010:        Bridging Heaven & Earth International healing arts project – USA

Awards:
July 2010:              Finalist Art Scene Today “Abstractions of the Mind” international competition.
July 2010:              Finalist Arisu creative arts “Nature” juried exhibition and competition

Publications:
June 2010:             Censored Zine. UK

October 2010:        To be featured in Rise Art magazine USA.

 “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead.” Albert Einstein