Lisa Risbec
I begin with collecting and accumulating, then I stitch, print and craft; slow processes that let me think. Ceramic rememberings, a weighted quilt filled with pebbles, moving image with fragmented narrative, the sound of voice and the sea. I combine all of these elements to make or find meaning and use writing as a way to work out how I feel, to bring the story together.
The work has a tactile, material presence. Found fabrics, archival tape, wooden objects, pebbles. Things reused and reworked. It feels temporal and heavy with association. There’s a visual order, things arranged aesthetically and precisely. Grids appear frequently. There is performance to camera, ‘archival’ gestures - collect-sort-categorise-store with a playful quality. And there's a particular palette, the colour of old documents, oxidised metals and faded textiles, mixed with vibrant, softened colours. Dusty rose, teal, soft blues, oranges and deep earthy tones. Soft and bright. The colours of dreams and memories. The sound is subtle, beds of drone like pebbles crashing to the sea, dreamlike resonant sounds, meditative and thoughtful.
I use writing to uncover another layer to the work and I think about archives and bodies, materiality, memory and personal narrative. Considering how objects are charged, how loss and grief can be symbolised in objects and how archival systems or gestures can be used as a framework for practice and to understand emotions.
Lisa Risbec
West Yorkshire, UK
Selected Exhibitions and Projects
2024
The Organised Body (MA Show), Hanover Building, Preston
The Weight of It All (Interim Group Show), The Birley, Preston
2023
Permission to Breathe (Group Show with Karen Bertonasci), PR1 Gallery, Preston
Everything I Didn't Want, The Cutting Room Exhibition, Leeds Art University
2022
Holding Pattern Exhibition, Imaginary Wines
2021–2022
Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice Grant – Research project exploring the link between archiving, collecting, and artistic practice
2020
Anything Could Come Out of That Egg! (Group Show), Postcards from the Futuro, Todmorden TIC
The Anne Brontë Exhibition, South Square
2019
Group Show, 9A Gallery
Co-Curator, Your Truth is Not My Truth, Pool Arts Exhibition, The Horsfall, Manchester
Co-Curator, Resilience, Pool Arts Exhibition, Manchester
2018
Good Luck Charm included in The Art of Magic Group Show, The Horse Hospital, London; Robinwood Mill, Todmorden; Analogue Farm, Rossendale
Co-Curator, RHYTHM: The Work of Akinyemi Oludele, The Horsfall, Manchester
Curator, Three Chord Zen (Lee Hadfield Exhibition), Cass Arts, Manchester
The Earth Runs Red included in Diptych, Triptych and Polyptych Group Show, PS Mirabel, Manchester
Residencies and Commissions
2017
Let's Talk: Conversations Through Making as part of A Day and a Night, IMAA Group Show/Event
Painting the Town Workshops and Commissioned Animation, Manchester Histories
2016
Doremifasolasido Residency, Florence Arts Centre, Cumbria
IMPACT Representing Data Visual Art Commission
Our Streets Animation Commissioned by Cartwheel Arts
2015
Islington Mill Art Academy Residency, Regents Trading Estate
IMPACT Representing Data Visual Art Commission
Research Interests
Current research focuses on creative approaches to archiving artists’ papers and objects, as well as the relationship between archives and the body. Interested in how artists’ materials are classified and preserved, informing exploration of creative methodologies that challenge traditional archival structures.
Professional Experience
Imaging Assistant, John Rylands Library and Research Institute, Manchester (Jan 2024 – Present)
Retrieving and assessing materials for digitisation, collaborating with photographers and special collections teams.
Applying knowledge of copyright, metadata, and archival structures to support digital accessibility.
Historical Project Photographer, Manchester, UK (Jan 2020 – Dec 2023)
Photographed archival materials using high-end imaging equipment, ensuring accuracy and preservation.
Worked within archival settings, documenting historical collections for digital records.
Creative Facilitator and Mentor, Various Organisations
Led arts and health projects, exhibitions, and creative workshops for over 10 years.
Developed participatory projects, toolkits, and resources for organisations including Cartwheel Arts, Pool Arts, and ARC.
Resource Development, Cartwheel Arts
Co-developed Art for Transition and Wellbeing Dominoes, supporting mental health and social integration.
Education
MA Fine Art, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Preston (2022–2024) Distinction
BA (Hons) Photography with Audio Visual Media, UCLan, Preston (2002–2005) 2:1
Helping Artists Keep Going
Axis is an artist-led charity supporting contemporary visual artists with resources, connection, and visibility.