Lola was formed in 1997 for some of the same reasons that collectives became a viable option for artists: the need to create new kinds of platforms for emerging artists and writers while also breaking from an art scene that had grown comfortable in its insularity. To counter the predictability of grant-funded art press, Lola used irreverence, humour and inclusivity to reach a broad readership.

Its founders – curator John Massier, artist Sally McKay and arts writer Catherine Osborne – brought years of writing experience to the magazine and ran the publication as a business, selling ads and building a subscription base.
After 16 issues, Lola folded in 2003.