Lisa Johnson

Artist Statement

The Vessel
I have worked at two different hospitals as a transporter in the ER and radiology department, and as a medical records clerk. The everyday realities I would encounter tuned me in on what it means to work in a hospital. My observations during this time pushed my work into a direction of that which is medical. I realize that not everyone can relate to my personal experiences or instances within my time in that field, but the content of the artwork itself is not so obscure.

When thinking of traditional metalsmithing, the vessel surfaces as a familiar object. By reinterpreting vessel as “vascular vessel,” I’m taking what would normally be considered a serious subject due to its medical reference into a play on words and form. I’m very interested in what vessel contains as well what vessel could contain. The contents of these vessels are merely implied by the recognizable x-ray shape that’s left a shadow.