ARTIST OF THE MONTH OF JUNE
Marie-Pier
Lopes
Montreal
How did you discover collage?
I actually discovered collage in university in a 2D exploration course. It was only a few years later when I lived with a friend who didn’t want me to have my painting studio at home that I turned to the practice of collage. At that time I was working as a fit model in which I myself was a human collage: type here, draw there, pin, cut, type over … This job inspired me in to create the series “Remember When You used to Play with Trucks?” where I question the image of a woman’s body.
What did you like about the collage medium?
The power to tell stories without writing and the immense versatility of this technique.
How would you describe your style?
Sensitive and raw.
In one word, what makes you unique?
Detail.
Where do you find you collage material? What are your favorite magazines?
I especially like old sewing books, travel photography books and Playboy magazines from the 60s and 70s. I also love to revisiting my childhood photos. I’m constantly on the lookout for new material and rarely go out without a backpack.
Any advice for a newcomer collagist?
Talk to artists you like. Danielle Krysa, also known as “The Jealous Creator”, is a visual artist and author who inspired me a lot. She contacts all the artists who interest her directly to learn more about their approach and practice and then shares her exchanges in her books and podcast. It is important to take the time to discover yourself and learn various techniques. Revisit your own creations and analyze them, participate in collaborative projects! Collage deserves research, exploration, collection, and sharing. There are images everywhere, and it is how we use them that makes them interesting.
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