Painter Laura Limbourg (*1996) is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where she studied under Martin Mainer and then Josef Bolf. In 2020 she won the Critics' Prize for Young Painting. A key inspiration for her work was a trip to Southeast Asia, where she encountered the sale of the human body, child prostitution and sex tourism. She chose to respond to these themes in a light-hearted way, which also relies on a relaxed handwriting and exaggeration. In her paintings, she projects not only experiences from her travels, but also concrete personal experiences that can be linked, for example, to her hobby, flying.
You studied in Prague, the UK and Taiwan, were there any differences? (Whether in the attitude of the teachers or the overall running of the school). Can you describe what you took away from these study trips?
UK and Taiwan were internships within AVU. I was really looking forward to London as it is a city that has always been close to my heart and very inspiring. It was great to live somewhere where I could go to openings every day, where there are cool galleries and culture. School, on the other hand, was very disappointing. The studio space there was minimal. But I learned to talk about my work better and discuss it in consultations. I was in Taiwan during my covid and the school there was pretty high school level compared to Europe, but the studio space was great and the contact with a completely different culture was very beneficial for my work.
You also spent some time in residency here at the Telegraph. How would you evaluate this stay, did it give any impetus to your work?
I had a great time working at the Telegraph. The environment was very welcoming and I started working on my thesis at that time, which I'm sure would not have been so monumental if it wasn't for that start at the Telegraph. In addition, I created a serigraph with a tiger theme for the Telegraph as part of the Telegraphics series.
In December, you will be exhibiting work at Telegraph Loft, what can we expect at this exhibition?
The Loft will feature all the works from my latest series from my trip to the US. In addition to these paintings, I will also be showing several vases that were created in collaboration with sculptor Patrik Adamec, and I will also be presenting a series of five new prints. I enjoy printmaking in that in my case it is a quick way of drawing or painting on a stencil. The final juxtaposition of colours can create random moments that I don't achieve with my technique on canvas. The new prints that have been created for the Telegraph depict tigers and beasts, which are such a symbol of protection in my work. The whole exhibition will be for sale.
As for your work, it is generally known that you draw from your experiences. Whether it's flying or personal experiences you've gained during trips abroad. You went to New York in the fall, what was it about the city that attracted you and what new experiences did you gain?
I wanted to spend a few months in NYC after college, as I always found the artistic possibilities there to be limitless and even the exhibitions and openings to be terribly rewarding as a source of inspiration. The city, on the other hand, is pretty exhausting, so I'm going back home again for a few months to absorb everything, paint in the studio, and hang out again. :)
Have you managed to make contact with any local artists or galleries?
I had a group show scheduled at IRL Gallery before I left, so it came together nicely on the same date as my stay. The next show was at the Czech Center in NYC, where I exhibited with other artists from the Czech Republic who went with me, such as Barbora Valášková, Markéta Kolářová, Lucie Králíková, Vojtěch Trocha and Filip Švehla.
What are your plans for the next year in the exhibitions and what topics will you work with?
I have my next exhibition scheduled for May at the Ballon Rouge in Brussels, where I will have a solo show and at the same time I will have several paintings on display at two fairs in NYC with Suppan Arts and Ballon Rouge galleries. I currently have a plan in mind to go to Brussels for a sculpture/painting show with a tennis theme. I am already working on the paintings and the sculptures are also slowly in process.
