An artist exploring self-discovery through her film series Undone
Lili Lopez Who are you when you are alone? What is has also been supported by Tribeca Film across film and photography, as well as success to you? What keeps you on the path Festival and Tumblr, and the latest series acrylic, watercolour, pen on paper and to self-creation? Lili Lopez asks these and gets under the skin of rapper Oddisee and chalkboard, through which she develother searching questions to her subjects photographer J. Shotti, among others. ops her geometric, minimalist aesthetic. in her short film series, Undone. The visual Lopez was raised in Paris by Sene- “I’m inspired by Africa, by home — I draw expressionist began this ongoing personal galese parents, and studied applied arts, what I see in my dreams.” Her commisproject hoping to explore the idea that life is photography and business before working sions include packaging for the fashion not about being, but about becoming. She in marketing for a music TV channel. She brand Studio One Eighty Nine, illustrations invites inspiring individuals in New York to then focused on humanitarian work, which for the Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figshare their personal journeys and passions took her around the world for two years, ures and menus for the Brooklyn concept and, because it’s less about their achieve- before relocating to New York in 2014. store Sincerely, Tommy. Future projects ments and more about the fact that we are “I didn’t know anyone, or speak English, include establishing a creative consultanall a work in progress, the identity of each but just decided to get there and figure cy agency, shooting a personal project in subject is only revealed at the end. “I need- it out,” Lopez recalls. “I’m not a big city Senegal and Cape Verde, and directing a ed to hear other people’s stories to figure out girl, I like nature, so it was hard to adjust full-length documentary on immigration. my own issues and deal with them,” Lopez to the values and lifestyle.” But the city’s So when will she focus the Undone confides. “The process was therapeutic for energy gave her the incentive she need- camera on herself? “I tried answering all of them, but also helped me.” ed to go back to her original love of art. my own questions but I couldn’t. I’m very The first instalments featured artists “I started posting my illustrations on social private and am still learning how to open including poet Aja Monet and artist Dondre media and this led to commissions. That up. It’s important to step out of our comfort Green, and won the Best Web Series award built my confidence and I found my style.” zone and not be in fear of living authentic, at Bushwick Film Festival 2016. Undone Her multimedia practice sees her working vulnerable lives with one another.”
UPFRONT
Words ANANDA PELLERIN Photography J SHOTTI
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