Nature in paper
- Lacy's work is inspired by Canadian traditions
- She uses recycled cardboard to reduce waste
- Her sculptures often resemble a totem pole
Lacy Barry is principally self-taught, but she learned how to make a living out of her art from her father, a master sign-painter and hand letterer working specifically on western film sets. Lacy started as a costume designer and on-set seamstress in Los Angeles in 2007. After moving to Montreal, Canada, she opened a studio working on set and prop creation. By chance, she was asked to make a set out of paper and since then this material has been her chosen medium. Born in Canada, Lacy has travelled extensively around the world, and she’s now based in Germany. She exhibits in Europe and the United States and she collaborates with many well-known brands such as Clarins, Coca-Cola, and Gucci.
INTERVIEW
Growing up in the Canadian wilderness I was exposed to so many natural and cultural wonders as a child; like the vibrant green and indigo northern lights in the winter months and the Powwow Celebration of the First Nation Tribe with its beautiful costumes.
I create pillar sculptures that sometimes resemble a totem pole. I embellish these handmade sculptures with flora and fauna or exhibit them against a graphic mural background. Occasionally, I add glitter, foil, miniatures, and feathers that remind me of the First Nation Tribe’s colourful garments.
The craft chose me. After nearly a year of playing around with different materials from fabrics to plastics, reclaimed objects and miniatures, paper seemed like the medium that I was always coming back to.
I always try to have an in-depth understanding of colours and I imagine a project from start to finish. I’ve developed different techniques through much experimentation and observation of paper materials. Sometimes, for some aspects I rely on computer software.
