Lisa Swerling studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University in the 1990s. She now lives in Marin County, California. She says of her work:
Glass Cathedrals are a series of artboxes that I began working on in London in 2006.
The idea of Glass Cathedrals is taken from an episode in the Peter Carey book Oscar and Lucinda – a life-size glass church, made by missionaries in the Australian outback, is seen floating down a river. A trapped dragonfly collides against the walls trying to escape, blind to the concept of glass.
My inspiration for this series was the collision between the seriousness with which we take our lives, and the limitations of our understanding. In Glass Cathedrals the heros are the tiny figures, my boxes the space where they struggle, aspire, dance, dream.
Review from the 2010 Origin ‘Made not Manufactured’ Fair in London:
“If I was running a competition for best in show…My winner would have to be
Glass Cathedrals for making me, and the vast number of people I saw at her stand,
stop, smile and laugh at the brilliant tiny worlds, each making their own small
statement on this complicated world we live in.”
Ewan Wilcox, visitor
Lisa joined Quantum in January 2011. We are very pleased to be exhibiting her wonderful artboxes at the Islington London Art Fair, the Chelsea Art Fair, Art Chicago and the AAF in New York. Some of her boxes can be custom-made, ie you can choose the gender of the figures, hair length / colour. Or, on I Love You the name of your loved one can be added! For Evergreen you choose the initials to be carved on the tree. |
 The Night Job |
The Nightjob
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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The Nightjob - Detail |
 I Love You |
Of One Thing I am Certain....I Love You
- Mixed media in box ( you can add
the name of your loved one! )
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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I Love You - Detail |
 A Woman's Work... |
A Woman's Work...
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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 Evergreen |
Evergreen ...
- Mixed media in box ( you choose initials )
- Small or large size
- 12 x 8ins, or 24 x 14ins
- £440, or £880
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Evergreen - Detail |
 Gone Fishin' |
Gone Fishin'
- Mixed media in box
- Small size
- 12 x 8ins
- £330
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 The World is a Scary Place But I Have Armbands |
Armbands
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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Armbands - Details |
 Yes You Look Fabulous |
Yes You Look Fabulous
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £450 or £880
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Fabulous - Detail |
 The Naughty Corner |
The Naughty Corner
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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The Naughty Corner - Detail |
 Waiting for Inspiration |
Waiting for Inspiration
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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 Under Construction |
Under Construction
- Mixed media in box
- Small size
- 12 x 8ins
- £330
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Under Construction - Detail |
 Unplugged |
Unplugged
- Mixed media in box
- Small size
- 12 x 8ins
- £330
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Unplugged - Detail |
 In Case of Dullness, Blow! |
In Case of Dullness, Blow
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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 Believe |
Believe
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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Believe - Detail |
 An Utter disregard for consequences |
An Utter disregard for consequences
- Mixed media in box
- Small, long or large size
- 12 x 8ins, 24 x 6ins or 24 x 14ins
- £330, £440 or £880
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An Utter disregard for consequences- Detail |
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