Liz West Of Liz West Studio
How old were you when you first established your creative style?
Light has always been a pivotal element within my life. Most of my earliest memories as a child were of discovering the world in a sensory capacity. I was attracted to objects, land and cityscapes, and spaces and fashion that were made of vibrant colours — the brightest tones and hues of strong saturation. From a very early age I knew that the type of work that I enjoyed was installations where you were immersed within a colourful or light-based environment. All of my childhood memories have one thing in common: the use of colour and light together.
Light is an entity that my whole life has centred around; not just my work. I notice even the slightest light changes during the daytime, which affect my emotions and psychology drastically. Given that light quality is central to my understanding of the world and well-being, when I chose to become an artist there was little doubt that the use of light and colour would eventually creep into the process, presentation, and concept.
In my final year as an art student, I really started playing with lights and lighting effects. It took me a long time to pin down exactly what I was interested in within the realm of colour and the material of light. My work and ideas feed into my lifestyle on a daily basis; this allows me to never become bored and always be finding out about my own perception and sensibilities and tuning into others.
What advice would you give to young artists who are trying to define their style?
My advice to younger artists would be to make what you are truly passionate about and are in love with. Sometimes it requires you to dig a bit deeper instead of making work about superficial interests.
It sounds weird, but I remember very clearly about 6-7 years ago when I was so stuck and had artists block, it was a really depressing time. I really didn't know what to do or how to continue being an artist. The epic self searching I did in 2014 really helped me develop my voice as an artrist and consolidate my ideas into works of art that I was in love with, rather than making things I didn't want to share or know how to talk about. The work I made in the direct aftermath of this blockage, in 2015, was some of my best as I went from being completely stuck to being totally liberated.
Being an artist can seem a lonely pursuit so I really look forward to projects, exhibitions and commissions where I have the opportunity to work as part of a team rather than on my own. It is so rewarding to bring ideas together and bounce suggestions around the table. I feel the work that materialises out of these situations is always much more enjoyable to produce. I also really look forward to what is waiting around the corner, I am continually surprised and delighted at the calls and emails I receive asking me to propose or make new work.
Share a story that you feel like young creatives should hear.
Not a story, but an important sentiment and advice in the form of a quote from one of my all-time favorite creative people, David Bowie; “If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” I live by this. Sometimes it does feel like I am helpless and drowning in a situation or project; which I hate the feeling of, but if you can ride through these feelings, it ALWAYS works out and you can learn a lot. □