Collected Light – The Book

“After 25 plus years in the world of light, it became apparent, that there is an onus on and huge visibility of male artists who work with or have worked with light within their body of work. Many are well known names and are often cited as inspiration in the work of lighting designers. Whilst, there are a few names that come up when discussing female light artists - the financially successful artist; Yayoi Kusama, the political rebel; Jenny Holzer and lover of daylight; Nancy Holt, like the rest of the art world, the exposure of their work is less and our knowledge of light artists remains unbalanced in terms of gender. If you want to prove this further, just type the words “Light Artist” into Google - out of the first 15 artists shown by the world’s leading search engine only two are female.”

The Women in Lighting project inspired Light Collective to look at all aspects of representation in the field of light. They found and researched over 150 women creating light based art which led to the curation of the book — a small step towards trying to redress the unfair imbalance in visibility and will be available for purchase at both the exhibition and online, after the event has finished.

Light Collective asked over 40 women to participate by sharing images of their work. From immersive environments to reactive light, beautiful glowing objects to light that tells a story, this collection of light art from women artists includes a multitude of manipulations of the medium. Directing the viewer to contemplate colour, nature, politics, life and even death, the true power of light as an artistic medium is perfectly portrayed by the artists included.

Artists featured: Aleksandra Stratimirovic, Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Christine Istad & Lisa Pacini, Claudia Paz, Claudia Robles-Angel, Dorothy Tanner, Elisa Artesero, Esther Rolinson, Frankie Boyle, Gunda Förster, Helga Griffiths, Jacqueline Hen, Jen Lewin, Kamila Staszczyszyn, Karolina Halatek, Kate Hush, Kate McMillan, Katie Paterson, Laura Bayliss, Lauren Baker, Liliane Lijn, Ling-Li Tseng, Liz West, Lyn Godley, Maja Petric, Martina Tritthart, Motoko Ishii & Akari-Lisa Ishii, Nandita Palchoudhuri, Paula Castillo T, Rebeca Sanchez Pastor, Sabine de Schutter, Sarah Blood, Soo Sunny Park, Stefanie Egedy & Camille Laurent, Synthestruct, Tamar Frank, Tine Bech, Titia Ex, Tracey Emin, Victoria Coeln, Yoko Seyama and Yvette Mattern.

“Our hope is that by profiling these women artists who use light within their work, we are opening a door for others to do the same and for all to be celebrated and widely known for what they create. We also hope that the beauty of each piece of work offers inspiration to those who discover it and, whilst created by women, is valued as incredible art, non-dependent on gender.”

Register for Book Updates

LIKE 4 LIGHT, an interview with Light Collective, IALD Mexico, 11 May 2023

'Women Light Artists': a collection of light art that includes manipulations of the medium, stirworld, Apr 14 2023

The faces of light in 3 recent books: on art, lighting and lighthouses, Salone del Mobile

Collected Light, arc Issue 129

Women Light Artists, un reconocimiento a las artistas femeninas, Lightecture, Oct 2022

 

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