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Lisa Brown

Photography, Visual / Media

My work explores the lived experiences, resilience, and humanity of Black women and communities that have been historically marginalized and misunderstood. Through analog photography, sculpture, installation, and community-engaged practice, I examine systems of oppression, from incarceration to neighborhood inequity, while centering joy, memory, and personal narrative. My process draws from my own upbringing, community work in Baltimore, and international experiences across West Africa and the diaspora. I use storytelling, materiality, and archival elements to honor the voices of women, families, and neighborhoods, creating spaces where their truths can be seen, felt, and uplifted.

About the Artist

  Lisa Brown is a multidisciplinary artist, certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program counselor, and community advocate raised between Washington, D.C., and Compton. Her practice is rooted in analog photography, darkroom printing, and sculptural installations that explore themes of justice, memory, and the lived experiences of Black women. Drawing early inspiration from her grandfather’s street photography, Lisa’s work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling that centers resilience, family, and community through his archive. Lisa graduated with her MFA in Community Arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Lisa integrates her creative practice with community engagement. Her recent thesis installation, “The System Out to Get Me”, interrogates the systemic oppression of Black women while uplifting narratives of joy and survival within Baltimore City. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, with projects presented in Senegal, Ghana, and across the United States. Lisa has received numerous fellowships and awards, including mentorship through Black Artists of DC Harlee Little Residency for 2025-2026 at Stable in Washington,D.C. and guidance from renowned photographer Titus Brooks Heagins. She was also honored with the Sidney Lake iLEAD Award from President Cecilia McCormick for her leadership in the arts. Lisa has presented at Yale University Divinity program and Pauli Murray Freedom School for Girls Leadership Development. As a PRP counselor, Lisa is committed to holistic approaches that support mental wellness and creativity as tools for empowerment. This dual role as artist and counselor enables her to create work that not only documents but also heals, offering both personal and collective pathways toward growth. Her international experiences, combined with her deep local ties, continue to shape a practice grounded in justice, visibility, and cross-cultural connection.

Lisa Brown website Fine Arts website

Featured Work

Photos

image is of a local gathering of black artist and community workers.
Image of drum circle in Washington DC
Young boy teaches another young boy how to ride a horse in Lagos Nigeria
In this body of work, I create large-scale cyanotypes on raw canvas, featuring life-size portraits of children from Northern Ghana. These works transcend mere documentation, serving as a visual celebration of resilience, hope, and the profound narratives held within youthful gazes. Each cyanotype captures the interplay of sunlight and shadow, echoing the powerful vitality of these children while embedding their stories into the fabric of the work itself. The choice of cyanotype, an ancient photographic process that utilizes sunlight to create striking blue impressions, is both deliberate and symbolic. Its rawness and tactile nature parallel the unfiltered essence of childhood and the enduring vibrancy of Northern Ghana's culture. The larger-than-life scale amplifies the presence of these children, inviting viewers to confront their strength, joy, and individuality on an intimate and monumental level. This project is deeply rooted in collaboration. Through spending time with the communities, listening to stories, and capturing moments of play and introspection, I aim to honor the dignity and humanity of these children. By weaving their narratives into cyanotypes, I emphasize their rightful place as central figures in their communities and in the broader dialogue about identity, heritage, and the future. This work serves as a bridge between art and advocacy. It calls on viewers to recognize the beauty and vitality of Ghana's youth while reflecting on the universal experiences of childhood and cultural belonging. Through these cyanotypes, I seek to inspire a deeper understanding of the richness of this region, elevating the voices of its youngest members and offering a space for connection and reflection.

Booking

Booking Price: $500-$1,000

please email lisa@healherphotography.com

Travel fees will be in invoice breakdown