The Storyteller of Memory and Place
Lisa Whittington is a multidisciplinary fine artist whose practice is deeply rooted in the textures of lived experience. Born in New York and now based in Atlanta, her work moves through abstraction, contemporary painting, and mixed media. She approaches her canvas as a space for storytelling, often looking toward urban landscapes, music, and the quiet details of everyday life to find her subjects. Her process is an exploration of how color and movement can interact with memory to reveal the narratives hidden beneath the surface of the ordinary.
Her perspective is shaped by a desire to capture the essence of a moment. She treats her subjects with a sense of intimacy, seeking to transform familiar scenes into visual stories. This approach allows her to bridge the gap between the physical world and the internal emotions that define our sense of place.
Themes of Identity and Justice
Much of Whittington's work is driven by a commitment to social justice and the complexities of the Black experience. She uses her art to engage with heavy historical truths and the psychological weight of identity. Her pieces often reflect the concept of double consciousness, exploring the tension between how a community sees itself and how it is perceived by the outside world.
Her technical choices often reflect these heavy themes:
- Mixed media on canvas used to create layered, textured portraits.
- Collage and acrylic on wood to explore structural and conceptual ideas.
- Abstract compositions that investigate the relationship between movement and memory.
In her 2012 work, Emmett Till: How She Sent Him and How She Got Him Back, she addresses one of the most significant moments in American history. This portrait of the fourteen-year-old boy uses mixed media to confront the tragedy of his death and the strength of his mother, Mamie Till, who insisted on an open-casket funeral to ensure the world witnessed the truth of the lynching. This specific piece has been exhibited at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, since February 2019.
A Multidisciplinary Practice
Beyond the canvas, Whittington is a filmmaker and a storyteller, using different mediums to advocate for social change. Her work is not confined to a single style; instead, it spans from architectural subjects to deeply personal abstractions. Whether working with wood or canvas, she seeks to preserve the extraordinary within the mundane, using her art to keep history and personal experience present in the contemporary moment.
