Women & Songs

Composition 1223
2024 
Wood panel, canvas, acrylic paint, ChromaLife100+ ink, paper 
36 inches diameter
Approximately 4,560 paper pieces 

The concentric circles of Composition 1223 Women & Songs by Lesley Luce celebrates the strength, unity, and contributions of Canadian women in music. Inspired by the iconic Canadian 1997 Women & Songs CD compilation, this meticulously handcrafted piece incorporates thousands of paper fragments designed, cut, and arranged with precision. Shapes, patterns, portraits of Canadian female musicians, and fragments from the artist’s own CD collection come together to form a richly layered composition.

The pink, orange, and rose gold palette symbolizes the warmth and vibrancy of women’s impact on the Canadian music scene, while the concentric circles represent community. Each ring reflects a different aspect of femininity through the icons and images used, exploring themes of strength, collaboration, resilience, and evolving representation within Canadian culture.

From a distance, the composition appears abstract, but up close, its intricate details reveal hidden stories, paying tribute to the powerful legacy of Canadian women in music. This work offers both a nostalgic and contemporary lens through which to celebrate their achievements.