Local artist profile: Georgia Laughton

THIS week we speak with painter, printmaker and photographer Georgia Laughton.

What initially motivated you to become an artist?

I can’t recall the initial motivation, but every path I took always led me back to art. I realised when I was skipping history lectures at uni to spend time in the photography darkroom that I was probably enrolled in the wrong course.

How would you describe your style?

My style continues to change over time. I work in a variety of mediums and in each case the medium impacts my style. Working in oils forces me to slow down and consider things as I go, whereas you get a split second to consider the composition when doing street photography. I like to use whimsy and occasionally dark humour to help convey my ideas.

Are there any themes you like to feature in your artworks?

Eggs and birds have been reoccurring themes in my work, they lend themselves to an unending array of metaphors. I have been anthropomorphising food and other objects for the last few years, a lot of that artwork is informed by my views about animal rights and environmental issues. Eyeballs have a habit of turning up in my work, this started a few years back thanks to various encryption bills being passed in Australia.

Which other artists inspire you and why?

In 2019 I helped form a feminist art collective (the Lucy Goosey Feminist Art Collective) and the other members of that collective constantly inspire me. Another artist that inspires me is Jenny Jinyais, an illustrator whose comics about animal abuse punches me in the gut but remind me of the power behind all forms of art.

What are some highlights you have from your career so far?

The ability to get what is kicking around in my head out there into the world for people to experience will always be a highlight for me, and this has led me to meet a wide range of amazing people. In 2019 I got to do an artist residency in upstate New York, which was delightful.

How has your practice been affected by COVID?

COVID saw some major changes in my practice as working from home changes allowed me to move back to Central Victoria, which had been on the cards for years, but finally the ducks all lined up in early 2021. It is a delight to be living back in the area again, and the increase in space means I now have a home studio that I can open to the public.

How can people check out your work and, most importantly, purchase it?

My home studio was open the three days of the long weekend as part of Open Studios. After that weekend, it is open by appointment. My website is georgia-laughton.com. A variety of my works are available in Melbourne at Incube8r on Smith Street in Fitzroy, and some months I take my smaller paintings and have a stall at the Castlemaine Artists’ Market.

What would you say to young regional aspiring artists who are thinking of making a go of the artistic life?

Beyond the usual advice, I would suggest to all young artists to remember while there are a hell of a lot of gatekeepers in the art world, there are also an infinite number of other doors that you can just go through instead.