ARTIST BIO
ABOUT THE ARTIST
LAURA TESTE
Many of Testé’s sculptures balance a LOT of movement on the ball of a foot. Sometimes a magnificent bohemian skirt, deeply pocketed and exuberantly pleated, sweeps opposite a dancer’s outstretched arms. Sometimes a figure physically and mentally folds into herself – stretching hamstrings and self-awareness. Her style captures weightlessness by pushing the limits of traditional lost wax bronze casting.
BIO
Laura Testé, (b. 1968, Ohio) is a contemporary bronze sculptor whose lithesome figures and billowing bronze drapery capture moments of joy or contemplation. Her visual style is expressive figuration, focusing on the interaction between the female form, flowing gowns or capes, and negative space. Audiences recognize Laura Testé artworks through recurring elements such as a well-defined dancer body type and dynamic gestures.
Testé earned degrees in both engineering and design from Stanford University in California. This footing provided the basis for her artistic pivot in 2016 to bronze casting. In her artistic process, Testé challenges herself to achieve a language of movement and poise in a decidedly robust medium. With long thin limbs and turbulent undercut drapery cooling at different rates, her sculptures push the limits of traditional lost wax bronze casting.
Laura Testé solo exhibitions have been hosted by the Arthur Secunda Museum, the University of Michigan Taubman Center, Level One Bank, and LUXE Homes Design Center among others. Group exhibition highlights include six of her sculptures displayed at the Salon Peintres et Sculpteurs of St. Tropez, France and a life-size edition of “Elyse et le Chat” showcased by the Gerald Ford Museum of Michigan, USA.
Laura Testé currently lives and works in Michigan, USA.
PAINTER, POET
WHY NOT?
As for poetry, Testé started experimenting with Ekphrastic Poetry to convey the deeper narratives of her sculptures. Her prizing winning poem “Tied in Knots” was published in 2024 through Writers Digest. One more creative outlet.
Additionally, inspired by Provence France, Testé occasionally paints, naturally with surges of color using palette knives. Her paintings are usually gifted to family and friends.
P.S.
“My theory is that our society is coming full circle in art. In the early 20th century, art took a hard turn away from realism and figurative art. Now, there’s a hunger for some grounding—a re-humanization. My sculptures try to answer this need. Dynamic dancing bronzes aren’t just about graceful forms; they’re about giving us the energy to meet whatever comes at us.” – Laura Testé
