When artistic visions come to life, it's a magical process. For textile artist Lisa Laurén, each request for an animal costume head feels like embarking on a playful journey. From her sunny apartment near Berlin’s Spree River, she evokes a vibrant tapestry of colorful animal heads that ignite the imagination. “I’m trying to condense somebody else’s dream and make it into something," Laurén shares, a sentiment echoed through each meticulously crafted piece.
Laurén is a seasoned freelance textile artist known for her extensive work in the performing arts, including painting backdrops and developing costumes for an array of prestigious clients like Netflix, Apple TV+, and the Metropolitan Opera. Her passion for costume design was sparked in 2011 when she received a noteworthy commission from the Komische Oper Berlin. Alongside her collaborator Benjamin Tyrrell, she was tasked with creating enchanting animal masks for a production of Leos Janáček’s opera, "The Cunning Little Vixen," which captures the spirit of the woodland creatures.
The animal heads Laurén produces range between $2,500 to $3,500, reflecting the intricate craftsmanship that goes into each creation. Standing as a poignant example of artistic dedication, these pieces not only serve a functional role for performers but also act as a bridge, marrying her childhood creativity from a Swedish commune to her present-day artistic achievements. In every mask, Laurén transforms not just materials, but also the dreams and visions of the artists who will don them on stage.
