Transcona artist to open new show
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/04/2019 (1509 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Lisa Bissett, raised in Transcona and an alumna of Transcona Collegiate Institute, has an upcoming art show entitled Pause opening at Warehouse Artworks (222 McDermot Ave.) on May 3 and running to May 17.
The show’s opening night coincides with First Fridays, a monthly event during which most Exchange District art galleries are open to the public between 5 and 9 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to view the wide-ranging styles of emerging and established artists’ works, but especially significant for those artists opening a show, such as Bissett.
If you recognize Bissett’s name it could be because she is the daughter of Doreen Bissett, founder of the well-known Doreen Bissett School of Dance. Lisa told me her mom still teaches Irish dancing at the school.
Bissett grew up dancing and playing guitar and didn’t have any interest in making art until she was in her 30s. She began dabbling with drawing and, after encouragement from friends, she took some drawing classes. Making art helped her be calm and in the moment.
She became more serious about art and took her first year of fine arts while living in Red Deer, Alta., completing the degree at the University of Manitoba while majoring in ceramics after moving back to Winnipeg.
After the birth of her son she signed up for a Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art mentorship, a program whereby MAWA pairs up emerging artists with senior, established artists.
Bissett’s mentor was Reva Stone. In addition to the individual attention, program participants meet as a group to talk about their art, to visit art studios, to critique each other’s work, to learn about grant applications and to attend other training sessions. Bissett says the nurturing experience pushed her to overcome her hesitancy about claiming her place as an artist.
While she has a few drawings in the show, Bissett works mostly in acrylic painting. Her work is representational (not abstract), with her own interpretation of the subject matter. She loves diving into patterns such as those you see in wallpaper, or brick walls, as in, Studio View with Dove and Rooster. She finds it meditative.
Bissett has received two grants from the Manitoba Arts Council. From the first she focused on everyday objects and sold most of those paintings. The second helped her put together a series that she refers to as Change, about looking at women’s bodies as they are in relation to vulnerable situations (for example, at a public swimming pool wearing a swimsuit).
The still life series When Dove Met Rooster reflects on her own relationships and life experiences. She played with characters in different scenarios, as suggested by titles such as Still Life with Boredom and Still Life with Self-sufficiency.
To see more of her artwork, visit https://www.instagram.com/lisabissett8405/ and, of course, check out her exhibition at Warehouse Artworks.
Suzanne Hunter is a community correspondent for Transcona.