Lewis Deeney – VACMA 2023 recipient

Visual Artists and Craft Makers Awards – Case Study

Lewis Deeney is an artist who makes geometric, abstract paintings. He received the Visual Artists and Craft Makers Award in 2023.

Tell us about the artwork you make and your practice

I make abstract geometric paintings, using a laser cutter to cut my geometric compositions into individual shapes, which are then expressively painted and put back together.

Art for me is a process of understanding myself and the world around me. It helps me make the unconscious conscious and give visual form to thoughts through drawing and painting.

From surrealist landscapes populated with geometric figures, to portraiture, yoga and mandala symbolism, my inspiration is diverse but unified by an overarching theme of balance.

What did you apply to the VACMA scheme for

I applied to create a new collection of paintings and to experiment with new materials and ideas.

How has your work benefited from the VACMA scheme

Art is always evolving. Artists need to experiment and try new things to expand their ideas and abilities. Without experimentation, we stagnate.

Art can be expensive to make, which can limit the development of new ideas. The VACMA award gave me the resources to challenge myself and my practice by experimenting with new ideas and materials. This led directly to the creation of new paintings funded by the award.