Artist Spotlight: Laura Hope Mason
Looking at lichen, nothing sticks out as particularly special. But if you look at it’s conception, it’s birth, and it’s life story… perhaps there’s something more. Perhaps there’s some poetry to it. Something remarkable about its simplicity. Conceived in the deep parts of the forest, in cracks hidden, born with little sun, and humid heat, it’s unassuming- and it’s vibrant. Maybe it’s a metaphor for how strong a living organism has to be to survive. Maybe it’s telling us to keep going with the mundane, and difficult parts of our lives to become something that is pretty just because it exists. Maybe it’s telling us there’s beauty in all of it. Maybe.
If you spend enough time looking at lichen and moss, a few things will happen:
1. Your family and friends might wonder if you’re crazy, and-
2. You will begin to noticed subtle patterns of the delicate woven fabric in this most rudimentary plant life. This is exactly what inspired our Featured Artist, Laura Hope Mason hoped to create when making Organic Environments, which is a reflection of extreme magnifications of natural forms. From infancy to fossilization, her works touch on the deeper metaphors.
Smoke Signals
Cocoon
Gene Pool
We interviewed Laura to get to know her a little more.
What is a joyous moment that you’ve experienced recently? I went on a Mediterranean cruise this summer with my husband and got to see some amazing art, museums, and churches. Highlights included Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the Tower of Pisa, the Pietà inside St.Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and Hagia Sophia. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Why did you become an artist? Out of opportunity, necessity, being too idealistic…? Making art is something I have always felt compelled to do. The fact that I get to make a living doing something I love, makes it the dream job.
Did you have to give anything up to pursue this? No.
Besides this, what is another hidden talent, passion, or hobby of yours? I like baking sweet treats like cakes and cookies. I am also really good at eating them. smile emoticon
Are you close with your family? I hang out with my mom all the time. My brothers and I get along great, but I do wish we spent more time together as a family.
Animal I Would Want to Be Most: A llama. Everyone loves llamas.
Morning Routine: I eat a peanut butter toast and watch the news, then go upstairs to my studio and paint. My cat Twiggy keeps me company while I’m in the studio.
Dream Tattoo: I’ve never really wanted to get a tattoo.
Last Great Book I Read: Olive Kitteridge
Favorite TV Shows: Breaking Bad. It’s become tradition at my house to watch the series every year around Christmas.
Favorite Drink: Coke
My Dream Collaboration: Andy Goldsworthy. A lot of my work is based on the environment and his work is made in the environment using surrounding nature as his materials, so I think we could come up with some cool land art. Plus, I’d really like to go to Scotland.
Favorite Comedians: Jerry Seinfeld, because what IS the deal with lamp shades?
Favorite Song of All Time: Too hard to pick just one. I listen to a lot of Bjork while I paint.
What is the most traumatic thing you’ve gone through? My uncle Brad died of AIDS when I was 7 years old. He watched me every day while my mom was at work. He was like a father to me. He taught me how to swim, took my family to Disneyland, and was just the most kind, beautiful person I’ve ever known. Suddenly this perfect person was very sick and I didn’t understand why. His illness was very aggressive and my child brain could not comprehend it. I don’t think I’ll ever get over his death. He was only 38.
If you could tell everyone in the world something, what would it be? Be kind
Laura Hope Mason is an artist and native of Salt Lake City, Utah. In this series, Laura examined plant life along the Potomac (after moving to Virginia) and created a catalog of lichen from all stages of infancy to fossilization. It’s somehow personal and reflective. She is currently showing this series at The Salt Lake City Public Library. You can visit her website for more information at www.laurahopeart.com.
