Biography
Born in Cambridge, U.K. in 1958, Lizzy Sainsbury has lived near Vinci, Italy, since 1992. She studied art in the UK and works at the University of Florence.
‘I always feel a very strong connection to places; wherever I find myself, I instinctively gather objects and materials to inspect, play around with and incorporate into my art. My back catalogue of art is itself a source, as I sift through and periodically reuse pieces in different ways. I break, reassemble, layer and recycle. The woods where I live and the beaches a short drive away are my inspiration and my raw material, as I incorporate fragile organic matter from their beds directly into my work. Underlying this apparent fragility is in fact an astounding ability to survive and adapt to new forms.
I enjoy juxtaposing different materials: wood, metal, paper, wax, stone, and clay. I like combining different coloured clays and working oil pastels and powdered pigments into the surfaces after firing. Most of all, I love burnishing unbaked clay, because of its living skin and powerful tactile qualities.
Words are very important to me and the texts that I read are often the thematic and rhythmic basis of my visual work. I like to create installations that are experienced by and through the whole body. Music, dance and performance are often a big part of the work.'
Recent site-specific installations and group shows:
2024:
International Paper and Textile Art Biennial, Haacht, Belgium
Equinox, ZenitFest, Montespertoli, Italy
Heartwood, Stazioni, Vinci, Italy
EMPATIA Opere fotografiche di 31 artiste/i, Sincresis, Empoli, Italy
Wighton24, Norfolk, UK
2023:
Nel Labirinto delle Città Invisibili, Biblioteca G. Gronchi, Pontedera, Italy
Toilette, La cura di sé, Sincresis, Empoli, Italy
Roots, FAF, Firenze, Italy
Circlearte, Congregations, Fattoria Dianella 1, Vinci, Italy
Polarity, La Torre, Montespertoli, Italy
Cycle, Wighton23, Norfolk (U.K.), Cerchio dei Cipressi, Vinci, Itally
Chrysalis, Pathway, Ai Margini, Capraia, Italy
2022:
Stone Dance, La Torre, Montespertoli, Italy
Walking Words, ‘Home/Lessico per la vita di coppia, Sincresis, Empoli, Italy
Un Sentiero di Segni, Podere Lemniscata, Montespertoli, Italy
Vicini 1 metro, Cerchio dei Cipressi, Vinci, Italy
Botanik’Art, Normandia, France
Wind and Water, Giorno di Leonardo, Vinci, Italy
100x100 LIBRI D’ARTISTA, Associazione Sincresis, Empoli, BAMMM!, Museo Marino Marini, Firenze, Italy
Walking words, ‘RedZone’, Fornace Pasquinucci, Capraia; Sala Espositiva, Vinci; Spedale di Sant’Antonio, Lastra a Signa, Italy
2021:
Nowhere, Cley Contemporary, Cley, U.K.
River Art, Parco La Botte, San Casciano V.P., Italy
Prayer, Cerchio dei Cipressi, Vinci, Italy
2020:
Coabitazioni, Il Giardino dei Ciliegi, Firenze, Italy
Lizzy, Blah-Blah, Torino, Italy
2019:
Leonardo e i suoi luoghi, Fornace Pasquinucci, Capraia, Italy
Città Possibili, Here 4, Cavallerizza Irreale, Torino, Italy
Mappa di Communita, Museo Giuliano Ghelli, San Casciano V.P., Italy
Diversità e Integrazione, Fornace Pasquinucci, Capraia, Italy
2018:
Blu, Fornace Pasquinucci Capraia, Italy
Maps, Here 18, Cavallerizza, Turin, Italy
Journey North, Cley 18, U.K.
Books, Landmarks, Songmaps, San Casciano, Italy
10x10, Fornace Pasquinucci, Capraia, Italy
Un Nido per l'arte, Montelupo, Italy
2017:
Varcune, Here 17, Cavallerizza Irreale, Turin, Italy
Connectivity, Cley 17, U.K.
Alberi Torreggianti, Istantanee, Torre dell’Acqua, San Casciano V.P., Italy
2016:
Entropie, Cavallerizza Irreale, Torino, Italy
Tradewinds, Fornace Pasquinucci, Capraia Fiorentina, Italy
Homes, Istantanee, San Casciano V.P., Italy
2015:
Via Asti, Torino, Italy
One Boat, Istantanee, San Casciano V.P., Italy
Alberi, Il Giardino dei Ciliegi, Firenze, Italy
Parole, Il Giardino dei Ciliegi, Firenze, Italy; Biblioteca di San Giorgio, Pistoia, Italy