Laura Löster

14-26 | ARTISTS

18 & 19 | EXPLORATION THROUGH PAINTING 22 | EMOTION IN PHOTOGRAPHY

Iam a third year student at the University of Guelph majoring in studio art and minoring in both art history and psychology. I tend to create graphite or charcoal drawings that focus on realism and depicting subject matter in realistic ways. Throughout my university career, I have been attempting to break away from my usual methods and mediums and focus on new techniques and styles that I can add to my repertoire for creating artwork. My goal is to have a working understanding of multiple practices of creating works, so that I can use a style, method, or medium that best fits the messages that I choose to convey or comment on.

MODERN DAY ATLAS

This work is meant to comment on today’s society and the negative effects of materialism. Inspiration for this work comes from the Greek mythology of Atlas, the Titan condemned to hold up the celestial heavens (sky) for eternity. I chose this myth to comment on how in our society we are so enthralled with our material belongings that they become our world and that this constant need for the material can weigh down on our shoulders.

I also wanted to create a piece that commented on our society, yet had its roots in historical and mythological stories.

MOTHER NATURE

This work is meant to comment on the effects that construction and building development have on nature. The woman in this work symbolizes mother nature. Her body language expresses a sense of comfort yet the expression on her face suggests otherwise. The markings along her arms symbolize barren trees and scars; the trees that have died due to destruction leave irreversible scars upon mother nature and the planet. Finally, the perspective cityscape represents the construction of cities that are constantly looming over mother nature and are continuously on her mind.

I created this image because I felt a need to bring to light the impact that urban development has on the environment, and I wanted to create a piece that presented this concept differently and could create discussion amongst its viewers.

State of Mind (The Shining), coloured pencils, 2020

STATE OF MIND (THE SHINING)

This work is a play on the pop art movement. I chose a scene from The Shining (1980) and attempted to place a more conceptual light on the work through the rendering of the medium. The use of individual lines creates a sense of disconnect and impaired judgment, which references the feeling that the character had in the movie.

I created this work because I wanted to challenge myself to use a different drawing style and medium. I primarily use graphite or charcoal and tend to create works that are more realistic. This work differs in both those aspects and gave me another method and style to produce works.

 @art_laura.loster