Liza MacKinnon loves the challenge of telling a story and sharing her values through the limited medium of historic costumes fashioned from paper. These sculptures contain layers of meaning and messages through the materials chosen. 

“Whether my pieces speak of LGBTQA+ rights, our oligarchical military complex nation, or illuminating astounding women from history; recycled books, maps, letters, and photos merge to reveal complex stories and history.  Each dress provides a beautiful silhouette from a distance and then reveals covert details up close.

These paper garments, which can take weeks to complete, are made relevant by the materials included.  I enjoy surprising the viewer, either with the trompe l’oeil of paper masquerading as fabric, or with thought-provoking materials such as making Ophelia from Hamlet out of pages from the DSM IV or nudging the conversation by creating a Marie Antoinette made of 1040 tax forms and US currency.”

Working in Lawrence, KS, she has shown regionally in KS and MO as well as NM, WA, CA, IL, SD and TX. Her work is in private and permanent collections around the US. Liza specializes in ½ scale 3d historic costumes made of paper, creating in-depth studies of women in history. 

Please click on an image for more information and to purchase. ​

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