Lis Costa
Paper cutter
Sasso Marconi, Italy
Finding a sculptural response
- Lis creates artworks by carving and engraving paper
- Her passion for art and architecture drive her practice forwards
- Nature and her Brazilian origins offer endless inspiration for her projects
Lis Costa was born in Goiânia, in Brazil, where she studied visual arts at the Universidade Federal de Goiás, followed by architecture and urban planning at the Universidade Católica de Goiás. She worked for several years as an architect and interior designer before moving to Bologna, Italy in 1991. It was not until 2016 that her artistic calling took over again. "I attended a multi-discipline workshop, where I met an artist who worked with leather. His creations fascinated me, so, following his advice, I began to use his techniques on paper," explains Lis. She tested several types of paper and shapes, exploring organic and abstract structures, in search of the right material to respond to the precision of carving. In 2018, for the first time, Lis exhibited her artworks at Jaggedart in London, a gallery with which she still collaborates.
INTERVIEW
During my experiments with paper, I fell in love with it because of its versatility and beauty, I am fascinated to see how a simple, everyday material can change its identity. It gives me the opportunity to explore and obtain personal, artistic and professional feedback.
I cut and engrave paper with a surgical scalpel, and I lift, shape and overlap different paper elements to create volume, texture, depth and shadows. I generally use watercolours to add transparency and fluidity to the works and metallic acrylic paint and gold leaf to create light and contrast.
My work is linked to my Brazilian roots, which are reflected in natural shapes, landscapes and colours. At the same time, in Italy I feel at home. I am influenced by its artistic heritage and culture, and by the excellence of its paper productions.
Inspiration comes from watching and listening to nature. Living outside Bologna, I am immersed in it, surrounded by fields of sunflowers and wheat that give me ideas for new projects every day. It sometimes comes from an insight I gain through studies of shapes and colours, through reaching essentiality. My origins also inspire my creations.
