artist statement
When I began making the shrines, or “personal altars,” I found a way to incorporate my art training and my hobby of comparative theology.
I have found that working with these subjects has helped me through times of joy and times of grief, and wanted to provide the viewer with a similar outlet. I had seen in various cultures the common thread of having a place in the home that is a spiritual focus, whether it is a crucifix, shrine, candles, photographs, etc. I want to create art that is both accessible and meaningful, and that will allow a freedom of interpretation.
I try to incorporate elements from nature-crystals (earth and fire), shells (water and animal), wings and plants (air).
The earliest quests for divinity looked to nature, the seasons, the elements, that from which we come, surrounds us while we live, and remains after we die. I have also left out the human imagery in some of the shrines, choosing only to depict elements from nature, for this reason. Other themes vary from related spiritual imagery to singular representations. Such singular imagery is seen in the Day of the Dead shrines. I began working with Day of the Dead traditions while trying to come to terms with personal loss, and also explore the themes of grief through the celebration of life.
Lori lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. She obtained a BFA from the University of Georgia. She has exhibited in Cortona, Italy, and Athens, GA. Recent exhibitions in Atlanta have been at the Swan Coach House Gallery, The Terminus, Atlanta City Hall, Brickworks Gallery, 378 Gallery, Hudgens Center for Art, and Hambidge Art Lab. Other exhibitions around the United States include the Museum of Infinite Outcomes (Knoxville, TN), NEXT Gallery (Denver, CO), San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center (San Fernando, CA), and the Flagler County Art League Gallery (Palm Coast, FL). A major body of her work have been private commissions, enabling a personal collaboration with the artist.