Lucy Grainge is a unique artist who brings art to unexpected places, from train stations to hospital gardens. Her journey began with a personal struggle with dyslexia, which she transformed into a powerful artistic practice. Grainge's work is a celebration of diversity and accessibility, challenging the notion that art is confined to galleries and museums.
A Personal Journey to Art
Grainge's final year at the Glasgow School of Art was a transformative experience. She had previously been undiagnosed dyslexic, facing years of misunderstanding and ridicule. Art school provided her with the language and space to explore and understand her condition. Through interviews, statistics, and creative projects, she began to make sense of her experiences. Additionally, a later diagnosis of ADHD further shaped her artistic perspective.
Community-Centric Practice
Grainge's artistic practice is deeply rooted in communities and responsive to place. She launched Wiggle Wonderland CIC, a touring pavilion designed with architectural designer Beau McCarthy. This project brings art to various locations, including Brainchild Festival, Tottenham Court Road, a shopping center in Croydon, a school field in Enfield, the National Memorial Arboretum, and St Bartholomew's Hospital. Grainge's belief in art's accessibility and its role in everyday life is evident in this initiative.
Vibrant and Shareable Art
Grainge's artwork is characterized by bold, saturated screenprints and risograph output. Her use of color is intuitive, creating a generous and joyful aesthetic. The visual logic of her work reflects the unique processing of the world by individuals with dyslexia and ADHD. Grainge's ability to depict complex concepts, such as the tunnels in large blocks of text and the effort involved in reading, is particularly fascinating.
Recent Commissions and Installations
Two notable commissions showcase Grainge's versatility. For the Wellcome Collection, she created illustrations accompanying an editorial on dyslexia misconceptions. This commission allowed her to explore personal ideas, such as depicting the tunnels in text and the reading process. The resulting work is warm and graphic, drawing viewers in.
Another significant project is 'I can hear cruncheey leevs,' an installation in the sculpture garden at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Grainge collaborated with local primary school children and her sister, Zoe Grainge, an architectural designer. Through workshops, they explored foraging, printmaking, drawing, and creative writing. The children's artwork was collated and embroidered onto fabric, creating a den-like structure. The title, with its intentional typo, adds a playful element to the installation.
Public Art and Community Engagement
Grainge is currently on a screenprinting residency at Kypseli Print Studio in Athens, where she is working on her first two permanent public art commissions. These projects involve ceramic-tiled murals made with 200-year-old tile manufacturer Craven Dunnill Jackfield. One commission is a co-design project with young people in Bexhill, destined for the town's train station. The other goes to a housing development in Croydon. Grainge's awareness of the longevity of public art and its impact on communities is evident in these projects.
Conclusion
Lucy Grainge's artistic practice is a testament to the power of personal experiences and community engagement. Her work challenges traditional notions of art, making it accessible and embedded in everyday life. Through her unique perspective and collaborations, Grainge continues to create impactful and thought-provoking art that resonates with diverse audiences.
