We were lucky to catch up with Philip Lawson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Philip , thanks for joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
Initially, I encountered skepticism and criticism regarding my decision to incorporate a firearm into my artwork. The first response I received was, “You can’t make guns… it will kill your career.” Some questioned whether I was glorifying firearms or simply making toys. However, within a short period, my sculptures were exhibited at the 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco during the Lethal Injection Exhibition in July 2012. Despite this exposure, many still struggled to grasp the mission and purpose behind my Weapons of Light project. The sculptures themselves served as metaphors, representing the potential for transformation.
I believed that by taking the most recognizable symbol of indiscriminate violence in the world today and transforming it, I could illustrate to viewers that anything has the capacity to change—including themselves.
As I explained earlier, the greatest unexpected challenge I faced was related to the shape of the object itself. However, once I engaged in conversations about the project and revealed its underlying concept, the significance became clearer.
Personally, when I contemplate the artwork, I immediately associate it with esoteric alchemy, emphasizing notions of transmutation and transformation. It goes beyond the superficial conversion of one metal into another, such as turning lead into gold; it aims to elevate the object into something more divine—a representation of “light” itself.
Philip , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a conceptual artist. I identified myself as a conceptual artist early on. Originally hailing from Bristol, TN, I am currently based in San Francisco, CA. My artistic approach can be described as eclectic, as I am constantly exploring different mediums in search of the most potent means of expression. My work includes producing music videos, scoring films, painting, and sculpting. The opportunities that shaped my life have informed my art, such as documenting the Darién province of Panama for its 500th anniversary and working clinically as a licensed Art Therapist (Masters MFT), witnessing firsthand how art can transform lives. I am engaged in several major projects.
Painting:
The essential action of art is to innovate. After a year of self-imposed artistic isolation, I developed a new painting style. The isolation was crucial as it allowed me to create without the influence of criticism until I discovered something novel. One ongoing project involves a series of 3-dimensional assemblage paintings that I began working on in earnest during the pandemic. This was an effort to expand the scope of painting itself. Following in the spirit of renegotiating traditional mediums like painting; I am expanding and redefining Collage also.
Collage:
The challenge was to expand, redefine, and renegotiate collage as a process. I hand-cut the collage. Then, I photograph and enlarge it. It is printed on acid free paper and mounted to aluminum sheets. In this state, the collages are archivally and physically very sound, which brings the question of duration and the archive into the work. I continue to collage and paint over the finished and mounted original. The result is an expansion of scale and an embrace of ornament and embellishment.
Photography:
Expansion, redefinition, and renegotiation of mediums is a requirement for the conceptual artist. Another classical medium that I have challenged is photography. I am at the moment building a body of work with large format panoramic photo sets. This exploration takes into consideration the physical limits of perception while simultaneously exploring the popular motifs of the multiverse found in religion, science and philosophy. This plays with the plasticity of reality in a discourse that is accessible to all viewers, being purely photographic.
My artistic journey continues to evolve. I consistently seek innovative ways to express my creativity, to challenge established art forms, and to search out collaboration with other artists to better represent the complexity and beauty of our short and time-limited human experience.
The longest and most significant project of my career is the ongoing Weapons of Light Project, which started in 2012. It began when I created a resin sculpture using a mold of an AK47 assault rifle with the intention of achieving a kind of transubstantiation. Infusing the clear resin with vibrant colors and incorporating illuminating elements, I turned these sculptures into actual Weapons of Light, symbols of hope and virtue. The Weapons of Light reached far and wide, inspiring artists of different disciplines and allowing me to collaborate with them. Notably, documentarian Lelia Namvar recognized the significance of these sculptures and the movement they represented, leading her to create a compelling documentary on the subject. This further amplified the visibility and impact of the project.
Additionally, two remarkable individuals played crucial roles in expanding the project’s reach. Laetitia and Philip Amadeus Hahn, siblings and gifted pianists and composers were inspired by the documentary and decided to collaborate on compositions based on the Weapons of Light concept, creating a piano concerto, a fantasia, and a number of variations. Together, the Hahns infused their musical talents into the project, bringing it to life through their composition and performance. Their contribution added a new dimension to the interdisciplinary movement, demonstrating the power of collaboration across art forms.
Through the Weapons of Light Project, myself, Laetitia and Philip, together with various symphonies and renowned conductors have continued to foster a collaborative movement that transcends traditional artistic boundaries. Artists, musicians, and individuals from various disciplines come together to support and empower those who strive to enact meaningful transformations in society. This collective effort showcases the potential of creativity and artistic expression as catalysts for positive change.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The driving force behind Weapons of Light was at first my reaction and commentary regarding radicalized violence. Over the years, the vision has matured into the importance of being able to discern truth and to have a willingness to cultivate virtue. The result is personal transformation while in the service of others.
The exploration of virtue has, over the years, expanded into the importance of each individual working at their highest good, towards the relief of the poor and to relieve suffering. In other words, aim to do good for the sake of doing good. For me, It all began on a fateful night in 2017 when I received distressing news that my dear friend, Sujnanakumari Kumari Pasalapudi (who I call Sister Sara), was on the precipice of losing the land that was meant to be a home for orphaned children.
Despite my limited resources, I was determined to come to her aid and save the orphanage from its impending closure. We successfully rescued the orphanage, and over the course of years, up to the present moment, we have achieved significant milestones in its development. We have constructed new buildings, including separate bedrooms for boys and girls. We expanded the dining hall and kitchen and installed a water treatment system that not only benefits the orphanage but also provides clean water to the entire village, ensuring each person receives a daily allocation of 2 liters of water.
The happiness and safety of these children and the great satisfaction of giving fueled my pursuit of self-transformation and became the impetus for the continuation of The Weapons of Light Project.
Guided by the virtues inherent in the project, I am inspired to become the best version of myself. These virtues are tools that I have constantly at my disposal. This ensures that If I pay attention, I already have the tools I need to be the best version of myself: a knowledge of the virtues I must cultivate. It is my purpose that my actions will speak louder than words. Otherwise, I would be an activist. I am persuaded that art can do more than indicate problems or attach blame and shame. In my cultivated theory of conceptual art, the solution is self-evident.
I strive to be a voice of reason, hope and guidance, particularly for youth who may feel trapped in a cycle of violence, who live in the culture of poverty. Diplomacy and strength are better than force and intimidation. I know there are alternative paths to resolving conflicts, healing, and improving. Instead of indulging in violence, we can engage with process and compassion. The changing force is action.
Merely embracing professional civility or intellectual passivity is insufficient to bring about meaningful transformation in the world. In short, by channeling creative energy into the Weapons of Light Project and striving for personal growth, I hope to inspire others to embrace virtue as a catalyst for positive global change. Through collective efforts and a shared commitment to transformation, I have seen that it is possible to create a world where violence is replaced with compassion, understanding, and the genuine desire to build a better future for all.
How did you build your audience on social media?
One unexpected thing that has come out of my recent work is the reach of my Facebook page for the Weapons of Light Project. When I started creating the Weapons of Light sculptures, I had no idea the impact they would have, or the value of social media to track that impact. As I exhibited the works and began posting, I began to see a steady increase in followers on the page. With 340,000 followers on Facebook, the Weapons of Light Movement has a virtuous army of at least 340,000! We cannot wait to grow as we continue to garner support for the movement in all sorts of ways. I believe those who observe this project with interest will witness something great, and perhaps even become a part of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.philiplawsonart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philiplawsonart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilipLawsonStudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilipLawsonArt
Image Credits
Philip Lawson Art and Ross Pelton Photography