Laura Wills

Laura Wills b.1981, is an Adelaide based multidisciplinary artist. 
She explores social and environmental themes using found materials, collaborative processes and site-specific ephemeral projects. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Applied Design from Adelaide Centre of the Arts (2003), and a Bachelor of Visual Arts Honors, from The School of Art Architecture and Design, (2011). Since 2004, she has exhibited nationally and internationally as well as participating in several Australian and international residencies.  In 2015 Laura developed drawing based public art work for the New Royal Adelaide Hospital, created designs for a Lace Fence public art project in Mt Gambier, was awarded the Tatiara prize and a finalist in the Whyalla Art Prize. She is currently working on collaborative horticultural public art projects with William Cheesman. In 2017 Laura is an associate artist with Open Space Contemporary Art, and is participating in a residency at  Sauerbier Art House, Port Norlunga. The works in 'Tending' were recently produced on a 5 week residency at Rimbun Dahan in Malaysia.

"I have been drawing on maps for over ten years. By being of the environment they connect us to it; where are we in it, how we represent it and how we feel towards it. The opportunity to develop large public art drawing works lead to explorations into digital map drawing. My new works merge digital exploration and pastel with this exploration of personal geographies and our relationship to the land.

The base of my practice involves collaboration, ethics and participation. I am interested in the social context of art and ecological art projects. Themes I explore in my work include investigations of interconnectedness, shelter, travel, climate, mapping and food issues. My drawing works comprise of pastel drawing on maps, digital drawing, drawing in installation and light drawing with a projector for performance."

Laura Wills, 2017

 

Solo Exhibitions

2017
'Tending', Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2015
'Wheels in Flight', sand drawing Port Willunga Beach

2010
There in Time , Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
Bismania, Flinders Medical Centre, Arts in Health, Adelaide

2009
Prospecting, Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide
View of a View , Clutural Galery, Port Augusta

2007  
Loop Project, to be continued, Vienna
Parkside Nomadic Group, Project Space, Contemporary Art Centre South Australia
Blueprints , SoMA Galleries, Adelaide

2006   
Giving and Receiving, Carclew Youth Arts Center, Adelaide 

2005 
Zimmer in Berlin, Naunyn Strasse, Berlin  

2004   
Gourmet Traveller, Organic To Go, Adelaide

2003   
Stills, The Health Gallery, Mt Gambier

 

Selected Group Exhibitions

2015
'Mad For', Light Square Gallery, Adelaide

2014
'Historia', Adelaide Town Hall

2013
'Their Shadows in Us', Flinders University Art Museum and City Gallery, Adelaide

2012
Melbourne Art Fair, represented by Hill Smith Gallery, Melbourne, Vic

2012
Wonder Fall, Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide, SA

2011
Gold, Felt Gallery, Adelaide, SA

2010
Mythologies, Fausto Coppi Space- Format Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Line Up, Prospect Gallery, Adelaide, SA

2009
The Dog Show , Artroom5, Adelaide

2008 
Under the Bunyan Tree, Light Square Gallery, Adelaide
Cellar sweatshop , Light Square Gallery, Adelaide

2007 
International Elephant , Sanskriti Kendra, New Delhi
Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize , South Australian Museum
Youth Environment Art Award, South Australian Museum

2006  
The Fleurieu Peninsula Youth Scholarship Exhibition, Penny Hills Winery
The Mole Exhibition, TINA Festival, Newcastle and Mori Gallery, Sydney
The French Connection, Bella Cosa Sculpture Park and Gallery, McLaren Flat

2005   
Oregano, Central Gallery, Adelaide

2004  
Glean, the Foundry, Melbourne
Drawing Today, Central Gallery,  Adelaide
A wing and a Prayer,  Mildura Arts Centre 
Sustainable Living Festival , Create Art, Federation Square, Melbourne
Helpmann Graduate exhibition, Drill Hall,  Adelaide
 

Grants

2017
5 week residency at Rimbun Dahan, Malyasia

Residencey, Sauerbier ARt House, Port Noarlunga, South Australia

2012
4-week Bundanon Trust, with William Cheesman, NSW

2011
Artist in Schools grant for Flying Fruit Project at Sturt Street School, SA

2009
Asia Link Residency grant to Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta, indonesia
Art SA, Professional Development, grant for Laughing Waters Artist in Resident

2008  
SAYAB Project and Development grant to exhibit and develop a new body of work
Australia council grant for Just Filling Dance project through Next Wave Festival

2007   
SAYAB Project and Development grant to partake in Room Exchange residency at to be continued, Vienna

2006
SAYAB Project Development Grant for gallery Exhibition cost at Project Space, CACSA
SAYAB Quick response grant for interstate travel 

2004   
Helpmann Academy. Travel and Students of Sustainability conference grant
SAYAB quick response grant for interstate travel

2003  
SAYAB grant for exhibition development

 

Awards

2011
Fleurieu Art Prize, Fleurieu Vista category

2009
Nominated for Qantas Art Prize

2008   
First prize Foundation Front Helpmann Academy Awards night
Adelaide Fringe best visual arts exhibition for a collective

2007  
Second prize The Environment Youth Art Prize $2000

2005   
Berlin Language Institute Art Competition, second Prize 2 weeks free tuition

2004   
First prize South Australian Youth Environment Art Award $4000
Finalist for SOYA, National Youth art competition, Australia Council
Hill Smith Fine Art Malaysian airline Travel award . Return ticket to Europe and $1000

 

Publications

2010
Mapping Calm, Slowing Haste, Harry Thring, Independent Weekly, July 10

2008   
Open Studio, Catherine Clifton, Adelaide Matters, March 2008

2007   
Adelaide artists take to the world, Stephanie Radok, Adelaide Review, July 2007
Laura Wills, Developments in Housing, Adelaide Review, John Neylon, June 2007