Laura Questa

Lives and works in London, UK

Artist statement

My artistic practice is an investigation into the duality of the conscious and unconscious experience, particularly as it relates to contemporary global society. I use visual language to explore the fundamental tension between structured political history and the absurd, fragmented nature of individual identity. My work examines pivotal social activists and historical moments that shaped our reality, juxtaposing the weight of that heroic social consciousness with the spontaneous and often humorous self-exploration of the interior world. Ultimately, I am driven to capture the persistent struggle for dignity and agency in an age of complexity and global tension, asserting the power of both historical awareness and personal expression. My conceptual inquiry is realized through two distinct and opposing methodologies. The hyper-realistic portraits—such as those depicting iconic figures like Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and the conceptual conversation between Einstein and Tagore—are executed entirely in graphite on archival paper. My technique relies on the slow, meticulous rendering of light and shadow, beginning universally with the eyes to establish the subject’s profound presence. This process is a meditative ritual, involving sessions of intense, motionless concentration that can last six to eight hours. This personal trance state is necessary to channel the historical weight and gravity of these meticulously researched figures, while the surreal backgrounds reflect my...

Artwork