SCULPTURES
LAURA TESTE SCULPTURES
Laura Testé’s career includes different phases, such as the solo figures of the “Vim & Vigor” period (2016-2019) where she melded self-reliance with reflection. For example, “Lose Yourself” (2017) embodies this chapter with the turbulent pull between the dancer and her dress as a show of self-rule.
Her work during COVID, surprising uplifting, consisted of gleefully paired figures. Testé claims that she chose to use her art to fill the void left by virtual happy hours over Zoom. “It was winter, it was COVID, and I wanted a Jimmy Buffet moment. The jumble of joy epitomizes the choice of friends over fortune. We should all be so lucky to have someone that makes us live our best life,” said Testé.
This then led to several subject based triptychs. Sea Sisters, Saving Venice I, II, and III, About Time Series, Bronze in the Digital Age, etc.
For instance, “Saving Venice I, II, and III” (2023-24) are wall-mounted bronze figures with bronze drapery entwined in thick braided rope and accented with glass rings from reclaimed sea floats. They show three different reactions to what is lurking below, be it rising waters or rising tensions.
Testé’s most recent sculptures represents a more inward turn where personal experience informs the work. Evolving in the studio as this very moment.
In reverse chronological order:
RECENT WORKS: MOMENTS OF BECOMING
Laura Testé’s latest sculptures represent a more inward turn where she pulls inspiration from personal experiences. Prompted by something as gentle as observing an eclipse with her son to something as distressing as political tensions within her family, Laura Testé expresses these moments through figurative art that still resonates with her enthusiasts.
2022-2025 THREE-PART HARMONIES
In this phase, Laura Testé turns to the triptych form, using groups of three sculptures to explore discrete subjects—the sea, the digital age, time, rising tensions, and the five inward wits. The multiplicity of subjects across different triptychs reveals the Testé’s wide-ranging intellectual curiosity. When her trilogies are viewed in sequence or proximity, each sculpture of the triad functions as a distinct facet, creating prisms of her inquisitive pursuits.
THE FIVE WITS
BRONZE IN THE DIGITAL AGE
THE ABOUT TIME SERIES
THE SEA SISTERS
SAVING VENICE
2020-2021 PAIRS SERIES
During the COVID period, Laura Testé sculpted paired figures as a means of reliving togetherness. Each pair embodies either quiet or riotous joy. The compositions were drawn from hours of research on bear hugs, compassion, crushing embraces, and laughter. Testé says it was really great antidote.
2016-2019 VIM & VIGOR
Vim & Vigor defines the foundation of Laura Testé’s artistic pivot to bronze sculpture in 2016. Singular, dynamic female figures each stand as a narrative for joy, strength, and self-determination. The expressive postures and sense of movement underpins Testé’s artistic direction throughout her body of work.
HUMAN-SCALE SCULPTURES
The portfolio of Laura Testé includes life-size and human-scale sculptures that should be experienced in person. Call the galleries for locations.
