About
Lisa McCarty creates images using cameras and photographic processes with technical limitations in order to address the imperfect yet wondrous systems that govern cognition and consciousness. To this end, she deliberately restricts her control over the exposure, focus, and clarity of her images, and often uses consumer grade materials known yielding unpredictable results thus facilitating opportunities for chance operations to affect the work. Additionally, Lisa frequently alters the results of these photographic experiments by means of digital editing, transfer, layering, and/or collage. This practice of disorganizing or
re-orienting of photographic information is an attempt to deal with the disparity that exists between what is perceived, experienced, and remembered. The resulting work functions as an alternative kind of document that refuses to disclose itself fully but reflects the dialectical, phenomenal, and metaphysical nature of photography and the mind.
Lisa received her BFA in Studio Art with an Art History Minor from George Mason University in 2005 graduating Magna Cum Laude. Lisa has also attended the School of the Visual Arts Summer Residency Program in Painting and Mixed Media in New York in 2006 and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Post-Baccalaureate Summer Studio Program in Painting and Printmaking in 2007. She is a Resident Artist at the Arlington Arts Center in Arlington, Virginia and has exhibited her work in numerous shows on the local and national level.
Resume
Education
2007 | Summer Studio Program, Post-Baccalaureate Residency in Painting and Printmaking
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
2005 | B.F.A., Studio Art/ Graphic Design Concentration, Art History Minor, Magna Cum Laude
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Solo Exhibitions
2010 | Florid Interiors, Athenaeum, Alexandria, VA
2009 | Time Sheet, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA
2008 | Astral Bodies, curated by J.W. Mahoney, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2005 | Giving the Ghost, Senior Thesis Exhibition, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Select Group Exhibitions
2010
Disclosed, Chroma Projects Art Laboratory, curated by Deborah McLeod, Charlottesville, VA
One Hour Photo, American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, curated by Adam Good, Chajana denHarder, and Chandi Kelley, Washington, D.C.
Accommodation, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA
2009
Riders on the Train, AXIOM Center for New and Experimental Media, curated by Nancy Davies, Boston, MA
6th Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party, Mexican Cultural Institute, Washington, D.C.
Sparkplug Presents: Findings, curated by Lea-Ann Bigelow & Blair Murphy, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
No Soul For Sale – A Festival Of Independents, Transformer Flat Files / X-Initiative, New York, NY
Alumni Mixer, George Mason University Fine Arts Gallery, Fairfax, VA
New Waves, The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA
Paper Trail, Transformer and Heineman Myers Gallery, Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD
2008
5th Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party, Halcyon House, Washington, D.C.
Quart Bag, Civilian Art Projects, Washington, D.C.
National Juried Exhibition, Rawls Museum - an affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Courtland, VA
Arts Council @ Grace, Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston, VA
Sparkplug, curated by Lea-Ann Bigelow, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.,
Arlington Arts Center Resident Studio Artists' Group Exhibition, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA
2007
Human Conditioner, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Hot Box, Locker 50B Project, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Art-O-Matic, Former U.S. Patent Office, Arlington, VA
The Werewolf Youth, The Warehouse Gallery, Washington, D.C.
2006
PhotoGenesis, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
Open Studios, School of the Visual Arts Summer Residency Program
School of the Visual Arts, New York, New York
Languages of Silences, curated by J.W. Mahoney, Greater Reston Arts Center, Reston, VA
Aeromatic: Art-O-Matic Lands at the Heliport, Gateway Heliport Gallery, Silver Spring, MD
2005
Strictly Painting 5, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
Alternative Visions, Alternative Processes, Chesapeake Gallery, Bel Air, MD
The Creation Project: Tim Rollins + K.O.S. at Pyramid Atlantic, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center,
Silver Springs, MD & The Kreeger Art Museum, Washington, D.C.
Student Select, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
2004
Art-O-Matic, Former National Children’s Museum, Washington, D.C.
New Directions ’04, Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
D.C. Rock City, The Warehouse Gallery, Washington D.C.
Residencies
2007- Present | Resident Artist, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA
2006 | School of the Visual Arts Summer Residency Program in Painting and Mixed Media
School of the Visual Arts, New York, New York
Awards and Honors
2008
Inclusion in Transformer's curated Flat Files, Washington, DC
Second Place, Rawls Museum National Juried Exhibtion, Courtland, VA
George Mason University College of Visual and Performing Arts Thomas W. Iszard III Alumni Service Award
2005
George Mason University Art and Visual Technology Outstanding Graduate
in Photography and Sculpture
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Award for the Visual Arts
2003
Wachovia Scholarship for Excellence in the Arts
Organizations
2007- Present | Sparkplug, The District of Columbia Arts Center Artist Collective, Founding Member
Curated Exhibits
2008 | E5: Rangefinder, Transformer Gallery, Washington, D.C.
2007 | By chance…, The District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2006 | Hystoria, Apprentice curator to independent curator J.W. Mahoney,
The District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2005 | The Creation Project: Tim Rollins + K.O.S. at Pyramid Atlantic,
Co-Curator & Exhibition Assistant, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Silver Springs, MD
2004 | Reference, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
Lectures and Panels
2009 | Artist Talk, Sparkplug: New Work, Arlington Arts Center, Arlington, VA
2008 |Moderator, E:5 Rangefinder Artist Talk, Transformer, Washington, D.C.
2008 | Convocation Speaker, George Mason University College of Visual and Performing Arts, Fairfax, VA
2008 | Panel Speaker, Arts in the Real World, George Mason University , Fairfax, VA
2008 | Artist Talk, Astral Bodies, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2007 | Curators Talk, By chance..., District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2006 | Co-Moderator, Hystoria Artist Talk, District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2005 | Artist Talk, Giving the Ghost, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Bibliography
2010
Murphy, Blair. “Studio Space Wanted: Large, Well-Lit, and Cheap.” Bourgeon. February 16, 2010.
2008
Cogis, Kiley. “Interview with Alumna Lisa McCarty.” Full Circle. George Mason University School of Art Alumni Newsletter. Fall 2008.
Kirkland, J.T. “Lisa McCarty @ DCAC.” Thinking About Art. March 12, 2008.
Christopher Correa, "Long-Range Visions: 'E5: Rangefinder," Washington Post Express, July, 17, 2008
Stephanie Kaye, "Art Beart" (Radio Broadcast Episode), WAMU 88.5 FM, March 18, 2008
2007
Kim Rinehimer, “Paints Well With Others,” Washington City Paper, April 5, 2007
Michael O’Sullivan, “PhotoGenesis: Fine Prints,” Washington Post, January 5, 2007
