Lisette Forsyth: Celebrating the Human Experience Through Reimagined Art

Lisette Forsyth’s life is a vibrant testament to living creatively and authentically. Her passions—being a woman, mother, daughter, lover, artist, worker, model, photographer, graphic designer, surfer, and globe-trotter—are not separate facets of her identity but interwoven sources of inspiration that breathe life into her compelling art.

Drawing deeply from her personal and public experiences, Lisette’s mixed media canvases explore the rich nuances of the human condition. Her work resonates because it is rooted in genuine lived experiences, yet it also extends a universal dialogue about connection, resilience, and perception.

What sets Lisette apart is her mastery of transforming the world around her into artistic expression. She primarily works on reclaimed materials—rusted steel, driftwood, historic newspapers, maps, old books, and construction plans—giving new purpose to what society often discards or overlooks. Each surface tells a story before Lisette even begins her creative process, sometimes waiting years for inspiration to ignite.

Her early education in graphic design and printmaking has imbued her with a deep respect for the synergy between surface and subject. She carefully selects her materials to complement the themes she wishes to explore, fostering a respectful dialogue between the medium and the message. The patience she exhibits—sometimes years in the making—results in artworks that are both visually stunning and intellectually profound. 

Lisette’s approach embodies a marriage of imagination and necessity. Her work invites viewers to look beyond the surface, to engage in a dialogue between the object and the idea, the artist and the observer. It’s this connection that makes her art accessible not only to connoisseurs but also to everyday viewers—women, men, children—anyone willing to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Her international recognition—exhibited across Southern Africa, the United States, Portugal, and Munich—reflects her adaptability and the universal appeal of her message. Her ever-evolving style responds to the social, political, and cultural climates of her time, allowing her to remain relevant and impactful in a complex world. Her ability to touch a diverse audience speaks to her unique talent: transforming art into conversations that matter.

Lisette Forsyth’s work is a vivid reminder that beauty and meaning can be found in the overlooked, the discarded, and the everyday objects of our world. Her creative journey is not just a pursuit of aesthetic excellence, but a celebration of the endless stories held within the surfaces of our shared environment.