Laura Moore is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice is rooted in sculpture. She works primarily in stone, although her practice extends into mold making, wood carving, drawing and photography. Laura received an MFA from York University and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Recent exhibitions include The Memory of Things at Zalucky Contemporary, Memory Bathing at Latcham Art Centre, Replika/Replica at Galleri Babel in Trondheim, Norway, one man’s junk at the MacLaren Art Centre and Sculpture by the Sea in Aarhus, Denmark. Moore’s sculptures have been installed in numerous public settings, most notably at Google in Kitchener as part of the Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area Biennial (CAFKA). Moore is a transient member of Studio Pescarella in Pietrasanta, Italy and recently attended the International Artist in Residence at Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder in Norway. Her work has been acquired by TD, BMO, RBC, BELL Canada, Fanshawe College, Art Gallery of Hamilton and Thames Art Gallery.

We sat down with Laura earlier this year and she shared her thoughts on some of our pressing questions!

The most interesting object you’ve drawn inspiration from?

Well, I’m a scavenger, so whether I’m walking, running or bicycling, I’m always looking around for objects. Locating, collecting and repurposing objects is essential to my practice.  I’d say, the most interesting object I’ve ever collected is probably an acorn, I just love them. Perfect little gifts from trees :)

Has your practice changed over time? Who has influenced it? Were any of them women?  

All of my work is made by hand; the process is very physical and intimate. So practically, yes, my skills have developed, subtly, over time. Thematically though…I haven’t changed a bit. I’ve always worked with objects from my life - my old walkman, cassette tapes, cell phones, etc. I become really attached to objects.  One of my first Prof’s said, “you shouldn’t have to walk farther than a block to come up with an idea”, I guess I took that literally. I started carving my electronics in 2001, at NSCAD. @artistjohngreer was a huge influence on me back then, he was the first Prof to encourage and support me. NSCAD in 2001 was a pivotal time in my life. 

 Who was the last artist to really catch your eye, and for that matter, who was the first? What was it about their work that moved you?  

 The first artist that caught my eye was Kurt Schwitters, probably because of all the scavenging he was doing and the last artist was Tarek Atoui at the Venice Biennale this year. His installation combines handmade ceramics with found objects and audio. It’s very beautiful.