Laura Deems (b. [Year]) is an abstract painter residing in Birmingham, Alabama. Her formal training in fabric dyeing, color theory, weaving, and screen-printing forms the foundation of her artistic practice. Starting with screen printing, Deems aims to create a loose interpretation of patterns, effectively freeing the motif from repetition.

 

Deems' mixed media monochromatic paintings exemplify the interplay of strength and subtlety through both composition and material choice, enhanced by a minimalistic use of color. These white-on-white mixed media works pay homage to historical precedents while introducing new dimensions to the genre. Similar to Manzoni’s Achromes, Deems adds layers of depth and tactile richness to the seemingly simple color scheme, further advancing the work by incorporating a subtle narrative through figurative symbols.

 

While her works are texture-forward, the use of organic shapes such as leaves, flowers, waves, and human figures is not merely decorative; these elements carry deeper symbolic significance, often evoking themes of nature, spirituality, and the human experience. Reminiscent of Matisse’s cutouts, Deems distills emotions and ideas into simple yet powerful visual forms.

 

Deems graduated from the University of Georgia and received a BFA from Lamar Dodd School of Art Textile Design.