Meet IAVA member Lauri Smith. We asked Lauri a few questions about her art practice.

What was your earliest memory of an interaction with Art?

My earliest memory would be of making stuffed doll puppets out of my pillows at home in primary school (much to my mum’s dismay!) and my collection of rocks I would find around the neighbourhood and paint faces on them…

How would you describe your art practice?

I approach my work first through the initial sketch of my inspiration or concept, which usually come from my bizarre and vivid night dreams. My process to bring these images to life comes from my background in special effects and prosthetic making, where I create the sculpture from oil based clay and then I mold and cast them using life-like silicone rubber and finish them by airbrushing or hand painting and adding some hair punching if required. I sometimes also reproduce them in different stone materials too.

Do you have a favourite artist/s or artwork?

I love surrealism and hyperrealism so I would say I’m most influenced by the movement of magic surrealism.

I love the surrealist artist Leonora Carrington from the 1930s-70s, her paintings are so imaginative and really tap into another dream-like reality.

Another influence for me was growing up with the Jim Henson movies such as The Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, the puppets and worlds that artist Brian Froud creates for these movies has always had a big influence on me.

Most recent adventure or achievement?

I had my first solo show at the Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne at the end of last year as well as I was recently awarded the Curator’s Choice at a group exhibit at The Project Contemporary Artspace in Wollongong.

Any current goals you’re working towards?

So many! Currently finishing a doll series I have been working on for an exhibition in Melbourne early next year as well as I have started collaborating with a close friend of mine who is a really creative writer and we have been working on a picture book together that we hope to launch next year :)

You can see examples of my work on my website or more process pics on my Instagram.

View Lauri’s IAVA profile.