Artist: Lisa DeLong
Title: Fair as the Moon, Clear as the Sun
Medium: Graphite, Gouache, Marbled Paper Collage
Price: $4,000
Dimensions: 34.25 x 34.25 inches
Artist Statement: This moon-like motif finds its origins in a massive architectural medallion on the southern façade of Cairo’s Aslam al-Silhadar Mosque dating from the 14th century. In its architectural context, the design is carved in blocks of multi-coloured stone and accented with glazed ceramics. Presented in a square setting, it brings together the geometry of heaven and earth to a building designed for prayer. To paint this complex design, Lisa carefully analysed its structure to reveal its proportioning matrix and reconstruct its elegant interwoven curves. The arcs and loops reminded Lisa of the moon’s changing form, so she chose a tightly limited palette to echo the light of the moon in the night sky.
Artist Biography: Lisa DeLong is an artist and an educator who works for King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts (London) designing and delivering traditional arts education and practical skills training internationally. She received her PhD from the School of Traditional Arts in 2007. At the School, she learned about the creative and symbolic potential of the compass and square, learning to analyse and draw geometric patterns from a variety of cultures and traditions. Her work is informed by Islamic geometric patterns, Gothic tracery, quilting patterns, and other masterpieces of mathematical artistry.
