Decoding Liz Nielsen’s Unique Photographic Technique
A couple of years ago, I got to meet Liz Nielsen at her Brooklyn studio thanks to our mutual friend, art dealer Michelle Tillou. I was immediately drawn to Liz's work, although at first, I couldn't quite figure out how she was pulling it off. It turns out, she's a camera-less photographer, which blew my mind.
Liz has this cool way of working with analog color photography, but instead of using cameras, she uses light as her main tool to create what she calls "light paintings." Once I heard that, I was all in. I've been a fan ever since that first visit, where I spent a good chunk of my day just hanging out and talking to her about how she does what she does. She told me about her process, which involves directly exposing photo-sensitive paper to light sources that she manipulates by hand to produce abstract photograms.
Her pieces are alive with vivid colors and dynamic shapes—the fascinating part is how our brains work to make sense of these abstract forms. Liz's art taps into our inherent desire to find patterns and meanings, challenging us to interpret and connect with her work. As humans, we instinctively seek patterns and meaning in visual stimuli, using cognitive processes which help organize the visual elements of a scene into coherent forms. Context and emotional state also play significant roles, influencing our interpretations based on our surroundings and personal experiences. In her process, she takes the old-school photogram technique and spins it on its head by having total control over her exposures. This lets her be super spontaneous in her work, so each piece is a one-of-a-kind, detailed creation.
Following her work over the years, I've seen how much her art is about experimenting and exploring the properties of light and color. Every piece she makes is like a live event; it's not just about capturing an image—it's about creating an experience.
Liz's exhibitions have been a hit both in the US and internationally. Her innovative approach and command over her medium have made her a standout artist in the world of contemporary art.