Lauren Phillips is a queer visual artist exploring romanticism, consent, and empowerment. Through the creation of large scale wood cutout paintings, a neon sign, and a mirrored piece, Lauren represents familiar romantic imagery coupled with eerie elements to show how beauty, power and fear are all tied together in the experience of femininity. Her work considers what women are encouraged to value and pairs it with the often overlooked, but frequently felt, dangers of these experiences.

Lauren’s solo exhibition, Touch Me / Don’t Touch Me, will take place at Plug Gallery in June 2022 through August 2022. The grant funds will be used to complete the fabrication of the artwork and allow Lauren to use new mediums like neon and laser cut mirrors.