LAURA MERZ (FINLAND)
Laura Merz is a visual artist, illustrator and designer from Finland. She specialises in public art, illustration and children’s culture projects. Her illustration work has been awarded and exhibited worldwide, with her public art found in several prestigious buildings in Finland. Laura values traditional craft techniques and natural materials as part of her working process. She uses various media including drawing and painting, collage, textiles, and woodwork. Her works are inspired by the natural world and often depict wildlife in a stylised, intuitive and expressive style.
Laura’s works often highlight the role of creativity and play as part of our everyday lives and wellbeing. Her approach to design is joyful, curious and experimental. She frequently collaborates with others across creative disciplines, creating works that often include interactive, participatory elements. Empathy, optimism and intuition are leading forces behind Laura’s artistic practice. She has organised art workshops for children and adults and given artist talks at different events around the world. She is passionate about encouraging and facilitating creativity – empowering people from different backgrounds to explore and develop their own artistic skills.
Laura is keen to explore Mongolian landscapes and wildlife, and most of all to get to know the local community. She has many ideas for creative workshops and participatory artworks to be created during her Nomad Spirit residency. Laura has organised art workshops and community art projects for children and adults around the world to. Her workshops are often experimental and playful – the main idea being that anyone can draw and making art should be fun.
See below Laura’s works created before >>