ARTWORK DESCRIPTION:

In describing her artwork, Laura explains “There is something evocative in gestures and expressions. Empathy is at its core. The chimp is a metaphor for the human tendency towards cruelty and lack of understanding. The fragile cardboard and scale embody the precariousness of animal species. I am deeply concerned by our disconnection from animal others. It is an invitation and a rebuke.”

 ARTIST BIOGRAPHY:

As an artist, Laura Smith is disquieted by the conflicted relationship between humans, animals and nature. As a result of this there is often an unspoken tension within her sculptures. On a superficial level, they are representations of animals; however, on a deeper level, they are metaphorical reflections of our psyche and of life itself. By anthropomorphising her subjects, there is a resonance conscious provoking thought surrounding the environmental issues facing our planet, and re-establishing connections are critical. Ultimately, her works are societal critiques with an undertone of optimism for a better world.