Lisa Kokin

Lisa kokin is an american artists in which I have found as a great inspiration within my practice, both visually and conceptually. 

 Maternal Instinct

Constellation 

Kokin collects profound photographs of unknown strangers, and explores the nature of the photograph, the subjects are lost, therefore Kokin's creates them new life presenting them. The stitching almost intertwines with each photograph almost creating a time line. The installation allows the subject to move creating a sense of energy, reflecting their life and nostalgia, the layers of stitching highlights an sense of decay within the piece. Although the subject are anonymous, they are recreated to impersonate and reflect Kokins personal experiences. 

"Feeling of sadness and nostalgia that acquiring other people's memories provokes in me"

Lisa Kokin

Abridged

This is suggestive of loss, as Kokin collects a selection of old books creating them into a pulped substance to recreate their content leaving hidden messages which have been depicted. I find this interesting as I could incorporate this into my work creating paper pulp of my personal belongings which could highlight the change throughout the life cycle. 

Front of the Bus (Rosa Parks)

Front of the Bus (Rosa Parks), Detail

This piece reflects Kokin's childhood, as in 2001 she experience the loss of her father and she found herself questioning her identity. Kokin felt the use of buttons represent her childhood, as she was constantly stitching, therefore each button could represent a memory, reflecting a sense of nostalgia. Kokin almost paints with the use of her buttons creating a family portrait which creates sensitive emotions reflecting her personal life. 

 What Remains

Kokin has collected objects which are both collective and personal, which are laid into latex, which the material itself decays within time the latex darkens. The subjects could represent a personal memory arising sensitivity within the piece almost creating a sense of history.

 Afterlife, Detail

I found this piece interesting as the figures are angelic suggestive of the "Afterlife" which subjected within the title. Kokin has layered feathers to replicate this, the feather are delicate and light creating a essence of a presence. The figures are presented old fashioned creating a sense of history, the stitching has been incorporated to highlight an element of fragility.

Remembrance

I find this interesting as it presents a delicate subject hanging which reflects the Jewish history and the Holocaust, a sense of history. I am interested in the aged subject, the shirts are almost translucent creating a subtle presence, the sensitive lighting within the piece creates a spiritual atmosphere.