Artist of the Month - Artista del Mes: Laura Valentino

Written by Laura Valentino
Sunday, 05 April 2009 18:44
Laura Valentino Go To Laura Valentino's Gallery Although my work has changed in appearance over the years, there has always been a focus on the portrayal of everyday things in a new light. In the beginning, this was not so much a conscious decision. My large paintings of mundane interiors simply started to take on a life of their own, inhabited by animated wallpapers or anthropomorphic kitchen appliances. In other works, single objects appeared as more important than they really are, an observation of life in an increasingly materialistic world. Later, an interest in gender relations and a revived interest in photography led me to explore the topic of sensuality and the human form. Although it may seem like a radical departure from my earlier cartoonish style, I have always been interested in the seductive quality of a tactile work of art. Around the same time, I was also experimenting with various methods of printing, since my work was now being produced on computer. I have occasionally produced animated or interactive works, but I am more attracted to producing a static piece of work where the hands on process adds its mark to the final piece, rather than an ethereal work that occupies a short space in time. My current work consists variously of sensual couples or the nude figure done in the gum bichromate process. In my latest series of male nudes, the focus is not necessarily on sensuality, but rather the essence of masculinity through exploring classic themes and archetypal figures. Still they are a product of the current times. The media used, state of the art equipment, contemporary trends in body types and hair styles - all of this contributes to a creation which encompasses the present as well as the past. I feel that my role as an artist is that of the observer, documenting what I see and have learned. The images captured however are not necessarily as they seem on the surface. A fleeting moment, enhanced and manipulated can tell an entirely different story than expected. This is true with painting or photography. Although my work is far away from what would be called documentation, in reality, all documentation is somewhat biased, in that the documenter chooses what to capture and what to leave out. That is the art of it. Go To Laura Valentino's Gallery Laura Valentino http://lauraval.com Laura Valentino was born in Cleveland, Ohio but grew up in the southern USA. After completing her BFA degree from Eastern Kentucky University and her masters from the University of California, Berkeley, adventure took her to Iceland, where she now resides with her teenage daughter in the capitol city of Reykjavik. Although she has pursued a career in graphic arts and interface design, Laura has always had one foot in the art world showing her paintings and prints in various group and solo exhibitions. She is a member of the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists as well as the Icelandic Printmaker's Association. She is currently working in the gum bichromate process, which is a historic photographic process that in recent years is enjoying a revival as an art form.
Last Updated ( Monday, 15 March 2010 20:02 )