Donna Lowson is a working-class, mature, dyslexic woman and a former hairdresser and shoe designer. Now a conceptual artist, she works predominantly with human hair and is currently studying for her MFA in Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University.
Her practice centers on the transformation of salon-sourced hair waste into intricate artworks. These pieces, whether wall-hung or free-standing, draw attention to hair’s delicate textures and rich symbolism. Through weaving, braiding, spinning, and shaping, Lowson creates forms that evoke both beauty and decay. Hair, often seen as attractive when attached to the body but disturbing when detached, becomes a powerful medium for exploring this shift in perception.
At the core of her work is an investigation of shadows, untold stories, and emotional residue. She refrains from using hair from her own family, underscoring the deep associations between hair, love, grief, and memory. This tension between personal and discarded material becomes a central thread in her practice.
Lowson’s work revives and reinterprets Victorian hair art, a forgotten tradition that once gave voice to women’s experiences. By placing this historical craft in a contemporary context, she highlights overlooked narratives and challenges the way we assign value. Her work encourages reflection on what we treasure, what we throw away, and why.
In a time marked by division, Lowson aims to create connection and empathy through her art. Hair, as a material, becomes a bridge between personal identity and collective experience. Each piece invites viewers to slow down, look closer, and engage with the invisible forces that shape how we live and what we remember.