UO Brighton: Let The Love Flow With @loisohara
We invited Lois O’Hara to transform the Brighton store window in celebration of Pride 2020. Lois talks us through her bold and colourful installation, her creative inspirations and the best piece of advice she’s ever been given.
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride is a celebration of love and acceptance. Love should be free and it’s one day of the year we get to appreciate and understand this more.
Tell us about your art installation… I really wanted to create a bold design where the colours moved freely to express how love should be free. My work is based on the idea of capturing the movement of an image in motion. There are no boundaries in love and my fluid artwork nods to this.
Describe your art style in three words… Fluid, Thoughtful and Vibrant.
How would you describe Brighton Pride to someone who hasn’t experienced it?
Brighton Pride is a day where everyone comes together to celebrate love. I believe that love should have no rules or barriers and it’s an honour to be from Brighton as it’s a city of acceptance. Brighton Pride is a day we can all get together to promote equality, diversity and eliminate discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community.
Tell us about your favourite Pride memory, moment or experience... I once met two gay men who had travelled all the way from Russia to be a part of Brighton Pride. They were so funny and we danced all day together!
Pride is a celebration of love and acceptance. Love should be free and it’s one day of the year we get to appreciate and understand this more.
Tell us about your art installation… I really wanted to create a bold design where the colours moved freely to express how love should be free. My work is based on the idea of capturing the movement of an image in motion. There are no boundaries in love and my fluid artwork nods to this.
Describe your art style in three words… Fluid, Thoughtful and Vibrant.
How would you describe Brighton Pride to someone who hasn’t experienced it?
Brighton Pride is a day where everyone comes together to celebrate love. I believe that love should have no rules or barriers and it’s an honour to be from Brighton as it’s a city of acceptance. Brighton Pride is a day we can all get together to promote equality, diversity and eliminate discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community.
Tell us about your favourite Pride memory, moment or experience... I once met two gay men who had travelled all the way from Russia to be a part of Brighton Pride. They were so funny and we danced all day together!
What or who influences your work?
I am inspired by the movement of the sea and I have a passion for bringing colour to grey spaces as a way of inspiring a positive mindset. I’m a big believer in the power of gratitude and how you can attract more joy into your life by practising gratitude in your everyday life.
Where do you go for creative inspiration?
I am inspired by nature so will often go on a long scenic walk.
In what ways has 2020 shaped, fuelled or informed your artwork and creative vision?
It has been a challenge in many ways but I always try to find a solution to any problem. I think as a result, it has transformed my creative practice and I am now more diverse. As I couldn’t travel I focused on some more graphic design based projects which I really enjoyed.
My ultimate soundtrack to Pride would include…
Ride - Lana Del Rey
Good Life - Inner City
Little Man - Sia
Losing it - Fisher
NAV / Travis Scott - Turks
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Someone once told me that if you really want something and work hard to get it, it’s yours. You just have to REALLY want it.
I am inspired by the movement of the sea and I have a passion for bringing colour to grey spaces as a way of inspiring a positive mindset. I’m a big believer in the power of gratitude and how you can attract more joy into your life by practising gratitude in your everyday life.
Where do you go for creative inspiration?
I am inspired by nature so will often go on a long scenic walk.
In what ways has 2020 shaped, fuelled or informed your artwork and creative vision?
It has been a challenge in many ways but I always try to find a solution to any problem. I think as a result, it has transformed my creative practice and I am now more diverse. As I couldn’t travel I focused on some more graphic design based projects which I really enjoyed.
My ultimate soundtrack to Pride would include…
Ride - Lana Del Rey
Good Life - Inner City
Little Man - Sia
Losing it - Fisher
NAV / Travis Scott - Turks
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Someone once told me that if you really want something and work hard to get it, it’s yours. You just have to REALLY want it.