Lisa Temple-Cox
My research interests revolve around the aesthetics and symbolism of the museum; using its collections, taxonomies, and histories as metaphors for a contemporary subjective experience of the body, in life and death. My history as a mixed-race, post-colonial child informs a practice exploring interstices: between science and religion, the normal and the pathological, the familiar and the uncanny. These themes are visualised through mixed-media processes which include drawing and painting, assemblage, and installation.
Recent work combines historical and contemporary anatomical imagery with maps and literature to create layers of image and meaning, evoking new considerations of anatomical collections and their role in creative responses to the body. This mapping process – anatomical, geographical and conceptual - forms part of a metaphorical locating of the 'self': the medicalised or pathological self becoming a metaphor for the 'stateless' self that is brought into question by relocation from one country or state to another.
I am also working on a series of paintings informed by anatomical specimens, models and illustrations. I am exploring the humanising effect of using traditional media and techniques to evoke echoes of the subjects' former lives. This interpretation or reinterpretation of anatomical/museological display changes the context of the subject matter, which - alongside the muted colour palette - situates it in an interstitial space between the time of it's creation or entry into the museum, and the moment that it now occupies.
I have recently begun an Arts Council funded project entitled 'Archipelago'. Informed by Wallace's book of his travels in the Malay Archipelago ( 1854 to 1862), I am using this as a catalyst for exploring my mixed Anglo-Malay heritage: unpacking layers of family and personal history, natural history, botany, arts and crafts, ghost stories, and genetics. I aim in the process to develop my creative practice in a range of media, bringing together sometimes disparate areas of my craft.
My studio work is enabled by and intersected within a community engagement and public arts practice, making artwork for institutions as varied as schools, hospitals, libraries, and public conveniences. I have taught art at secondary school, FE, and HE levels, and regularly disseminate my visual research at conferences and seminars in the UK, Europe and USA.
- Qualifications and training
2011 - MA Arts in a Social Context. Colchester School of Art/University of Essex. (with distinction)
2010 - Certificate of Education, Lifelong Learning Sector. Colchester Institute/University of Essex (in-service route)
- Selected exhibitions
2022
Borders: Colchester and Ipswich Arts Societies: firstsite Gallery, Colchester and Ipswich Art School Gallery. UK
2019
Symbiartic: International Biomedical Congress, Tech Park, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Art-chaeology: Faculty of Archaeology, Universeteit Leiden, Netherlands.
Art and Anatomy: Edinburgh University Anatomical Museum, Edinburgh.
2018
Skeletons, Stories and Social Bodies II: Conference exhibition, University of Southampton
2017
Death and the Maiden: Conference exhibition, Winchester University
“Anatomical Curiosities” Optic Gallery, Corvallis, USA
Skeletons, Stories and Social Bodies: Conference exhibition, University of Southampton
2016
Death, Art and Anatomy: Conference exhibition, University of Winchester
ArteCorporis: Exploring the Anatomical Body:. MacMaster Gallery, School of Visual Art and Design, University of South Carolina. USA
Excavations: Gallery 5, Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk. (solo)
2015
Post Mortem: Vesalius tussen kunst en wetenschap: The Rommelare Institute, Ghent, Belgium.
Connections and Tensions: (collaboration with David Watkins) Commissioned by the Essex Network of Artist Studios (ENAS). Gibberd Gallery, Harlow, Essex, UK
Year of the Salamander: Art Science Gallery, Austin, Texas, USA
2014
Fabrica Vitae: (touring show) Zykanthos, Greece; Riga, Latvia; and Atlanta, USA.
Image-Text-Object:Practices of Research: Level 4 Gallery, University of Southampton.
The Body is the Instrument of the Soul: Old Operating Theatre, London.
2013
An Order of Things (selected works) Department of History, University of Liverpool. (solo)
Conversa…Informação…Comunicação CECAL, Loulé, Portugal.
2012
Curious Pursuits: Portico Library, Manchester.
Outside 12:Un Lieu de Mémoire: Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex.
2011
Interstice/Confluence (installation with Anne Barclay) Benham Gallery, Colchester, Essex.
Retrofuturology: Observatory, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
The Text is the Text:. Patriot Hall, Edinburgh.
Fluxface in Space. Digital exhibition, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, USA
2010
An Order of Things: Installation. Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex. (solo)
Paradiso Contrapasso: Observatory, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Women Artists in 2010: New Brunswick, Canada.
2009
Base: 'Temporary Art Project' pre-launch show, Co-Exist Gallery, Southend, Essex.
Art2Wear: Accoutrements: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles, USA.
Long Nights: William Angel Gallery, London.
2008
The Wearable Vanitas and other work: Platform Gallery, Mistley, Essex. (solo)
Secrets: Interactive group installation, The Foundry, London.
Wearable Expressions: Palos Verdes Arts Centre, California.
2007
‘Day of the Triffids : Site-specific sculpture (with Natasha Carsberg) Cunlhat, France.
Enclosure: Installation with Tim Skinner and Kim Barclay. Benham Gallery, Essex.
2005
Everything and More: Site-specific installation and other work. Chateau de Sacy, France.
- Artist residencies
2020
Wood Institute Research residency, Mutter Museum/College of Physicians Historical Medical Library. Philadelphia, USA
2019
Artist-in-Residence at The Anatomy Museum, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
2018-19
Women 100: Artist-in-residence and community artist during the exhibition 'Women 100' celebrating women's right to vote. Ipswich Gallery, UK
2017-18
Wolsey's Angels: Artist-in-residence and community artist during exhibition 'Thomas Wolsey: Ipswich's Greatest Son'. Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich,UK
2017
Horning visiting lecturer and Artist-in-Residence Oregon State University, School of History, Philosophy and Religion. Corvallis, USA
2016
Probably Roman, Probable Female: Visual and osteological research into a box of human remains from Ipswich Museums' archaeological store. Ipswich Art School Gallery, Suffolk, UK
2016
Transfert-Collé: Workshops for BIOMAB (Biological and Medical Arts in Belgium) during the Antwerp Medical Student's Conference. Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium.
2014
Exchanges2 (with Natasha Carsberg) Commissioned by Suffolk Artlink in collaboration with Suffolk Young Carers Association. Changing Room Studios, University College Suffolk, UK
2011
Wood Institute Research residency, Mutter Museum/College of Physicians Historical Medical Library. Philadelphia, USA.
2008
Rainforest/Essex: Writtle College Centre for Art and Design in the Environment, Essex, UK
2008
Workshop leader residency at John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina, USA.
2007
Chantiers des Arts: Mon Arbre. Cunlhat, France.
2005
Chateau de Sacy artist exchange residency, Picardie, France.
- Selected Public and Community Arts
2023
Paper Nature: (with Nicola Burrell) Commissioned by National Trust to work with diverse local communities as part of 'Blossom', a nationwide initiative to celebrate nature in the city.
2020
Bourne Narratives: (with Nicola Burrell) Commissioned by Essex Cultural Diversity Project in partnership with the National Trust, new public work created with diverse local communities. Funded by National Trust and Arts Council England.
2019
CXXV: celebrating 125 years of North School. New work informed by school workshops and histories. Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund. Colchester, Essex.
2015
Innovation Internship: Design for a National Memorial for Tissue Donation.Commissioned by NHS National Tissue Bank and Faculty of Health Sciences and University of Southampton.
2012
Reminiscence Points, Ghyll Grove high dependency unit. Commissioned by BUPA. Basildon, Essex.
2011
Our Histories: The Old inside the New: (with Natasha Carsberg) Informed by the history of healthcare in Peterborough, oral histories from patients and staff, school workshop and liaison with Peterborough Museum. Commissioned by Peterborough City Hospital Trust.
2008
Creative Conveniences: Public artworks in public toilets, Colchester and Dedham. Informed by workshops with schools and communities including homeless adults and the elderly. In collaboration with Kate Farley and Andy Hazell. Commissioned by Colchester Arts Development/Colchester Borough Council.
Monkwick Bunker project. Nature inspired community Mural on WW2 bunker. Monkwick Estate, Colchester.
2007
Rowhedge Village Hall. Local Heritage community commemoration. Rowhedge, Essex.
2005
Riverside Living Project. Assemblage / Interpretation panel. In consultation with Mencap, Colchester and Braintree Museums, and River Colne Conservation Group.
- Curatorial Projects
2016
Open Season: Selection, curation and display. Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk.
2015
Art/Science/Life: Commissioning of new work and curation of museum objects for exhibition inspired by the 150-year relationship between Ipswich Museum and the neighbouring Art School. Comissioning an Artist-in-Residence and creating a supporting programme of talks, workshops and activities. Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk.
2014
Colours: exhibition of objects selected by colour from Ipswich Museum stores. Ipswich Art School Gallery, Ipswich, Suffolk.
2012
Outside 12: Un Lieu de Memoire: Curation of new site-specific work by tenants of Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex.
2011
Outside 11: Artist as Outsider: Cross-mentoring project with Kateryna Denysova, commissioning and curating international site-specific artwork. Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex.
- Awards and Prizes
2018
First Prize, Colchester Art Society Open Exhibition, Minories Gallery, Colchester.
Winner, delegates choice award at “Skeletons, Stories and Social Bodies II”, University of Southampton.
2008
Best in Show: Accessory at “Wearable Expressions”, Palos Verdes Arts, California, USA.
Winner, Art in the Built Environment Colchester2020 and RIBA Architectural award, for ‘Creative Conveniences, Lion Walk'.
Runner-up, Art in the Built Environment Colchester2020 and RIBA Architectural award, for 'Monkwick Bunker Project'.
- Public Collections
Anatomy@Edinburgh Art Collection. University of Edinburgh Anatomy Hub, Scotland, UK
Colchester Arts Centre, Essex, UK
East Contemporary Arts Collection: UCS, Suffolk, UK
Fluxmuseum: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Morbid Anatomy Library: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Victor Batte-Lay Foundation, Colchester, UK
Wildgoose Memorial Library, London, UK (private collection)
- Conference papers
2019
Death, Dying and Disposal 14: Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath, UK
2018
Skeletons, Stories and Social Bodies II University of Southampton
2017
Horning Lecture series: The Material Body University of Oregon, Corvallis, USA
2016
Death, Art and Anatomy (with Glenn Harcourt) Winchester University
2014
Vesalius Continuum (with Glenn Harcourt) Zykanthos, Greece
Images of Afterlife (with Glenn Harcourt) University of Turku, Finland
Collect, Exchange, Display (with Glenn Harcourt) Hunterian Museum, London
2013
History and Cultural Representations of Human Remains: Medical Museums and Anatomical Collections Natural History Museum, Toulouse, France.
2012
Monsters: Subject, Object, Abject Manchester Museum, Manchester, UK.
2012
Cultures of Anatomical Collections Universiteit Leiden, Netherlands.
2011
9th Global Conference: Monsters and the Monstrous Interdisciplinary.Net, Mansfield College, Oxford
- Arts & Research Grants
2021 - 22
Developing Your Creative Practice award, Arts Council England.
2020
Wood Institute research fellowship award. Mutter Museum and Historical Medical Library, College of Physicians, Philadephia, USA.
2013
Firstsite research bursary. Firstsite gallery, Colchester, UK
2011
Wood Institute research fellowship award. Mutter Museum and Historical Medical Library, College of Physicians, Philadephia, USA.
2011
Grants for the Arts: Arts Council, England for “Outside 11: Artist as Outsider"
- Publications
“Totem” in Eden Reader, pub. Pacitti Company 2020
“Pathological Anatomy and Self Portraiture” Co-authored with Dr Glenn Harcourt, in Dynamis Vol.36 (1) 'Modelos Anatómicos: Cuerpos y Objetos en la Ciencia Contemporánea' 2016
“Poor Thing” in Interdisciplinary.Net: Volume 4, Number 1 (Summer), Themed Issue on Monstrous Science 2014
'"Making myself a Monster: Self-portraiture as Teratological Specimen" in 'Twisted Mirrors: Monstrous Reflections of Humanity’ : Eds. Seth Alcorn and Steven A. Nardi. Interdisciplinary Press (e-book) 2012
- Articles
"Mind the Gap" by Ruby Ormerod, Green Pebble Magazine, Winter 2009/2010
- Other work
Collections and Learning Curator, Ipswich Museums. 2020-2023
Artist Ranger, Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service. 2015-2017
