Lia Cook

I never do posts about other artists and I feel its time I do as Lia Cook is currently my greatest inspiration. Shes a California based textile artist who specialises in weaving and has embarked on a new project based around neuroscience.

I don't think I have EVER felt this inspired.

"I work in a variety of media combining weaving with painting, photography, video and digital technology. My current practice explores the sensuality of the woven image and the emotional connections to memories of touch and cloth. Working in collaboration with neuroscientists, I am investigating the nature of the emotional response to woven faces by mapping in the brain these responses and using the laboratory experience both with process and tools to stimulate new work in reaction to these investigations. I am interested in both the scientific study as well as my artistic response to these unexpected sources, exploring the territory between scientific investigation and artistic interpretation. Recently I began using DSI Diffusion Spectrum Imaging of the brain and TrackVis software from Harvard to look at the fiber connections of communication between parts of the brain and to integrate these fiber tracks with the actual fiber connections that make up the woven translation of an image. In one case, I have included in an exhibition a participatory behavioral study (voluntary). I will be collecting data for scientific analysis at the same time as my audience is engaging directly with the work"

The above is Cooks artist statement explaining her current work. I was just blown away.  Looking at Cook alongside people like Freud has really made me want to cross the boundaries of science and textiles and be able to challenge myself in both subjects. I hope to develop my understanding of science by using my technical knowledge of weaving to display this.

Cooks work is available to view at: www.liacook.com

I don't want to go too much into my theory just yet but as my wok develops I will explain bit by bit.