LAURA BRACEY CURRY
ARTIST AND TUTOR

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Laura Bracey Curry and I am an artist based at Parndon Mill Studios in
Harlow, Essex. I work across the mediums of drawing, painting and printmaking.
Most of my work is themed around landscape and observation, particularly focusing
on rural Essex where I live and work.

Currently, I am working on a series of watercolour paintings which follow the natural
seasons of the year. The paintings follow the seasons by documenting small
changes such as flowers appearing, grass growing and leaves falling.
I am interested in books and making publications. I have recently made books
about the history of landscape within art, sketchbook drawings and the Real
Housewives.

Also, I am the founder of New Town Press, a RISO printing press which is based in
Harlow New Town. RISO printing is an early form of digital printing which use
stencils to create colourful and textured prints. The press is newly established and
aims to showcase local artists by producing prints, posters and books.

Recent exhibitions include Green Wedge at The White Room, Gibberd Garden,
Harlow Open 2026 at the Gibberd Gallery, Art & The Book at The Warburg Institute,
Drawing on Memories at the Gibberd Gallery, Pagemasters Winter Zine Fair at
South London Gallery, Illustration and Heritage at Chelsea College of Arts, The
Minories Summer Exhibition at The Minories, Bloom at Outhouse Gallery and
Secret 7”at NOW Gallery.

What made you choose this career?

I have always enjoyed making art, especially the act of drawing. It has been
something that I have spent most of my time doing.
This has led to me to try and find a way of continuing to do this more formally.

Did you go through formal education? 

Yes, I have always studied art at school, college and then, at 18, I began my degree
in Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts, part of University of the Arts London.
Having the opportunity to spend three years studying art has really cemented my
love of art, and perhaps more significantly, my ability to see art as a viable career.
All of my tutors were practising artists and illustrators which made things feel more
tangible.

Also, having the opportunity to spend three years purely studying art was very
important to me. I think university is a way of gaining time, effectively speeding up
your thinking/making and having the space to properly explore ideas.
Camberwell was also the place where I was able to develop my technical skills in
drawing and printmaking. Make sure you spend time in the workshops and go to life
drawing if they offer it.

Alongside this, I have been lucky to learn more informally from peers at the studio.
Being at an art studio means you will meet lots of different artists practising different
disciplines. Snootie, graphic designers Abbie Freeman and Harry Watson, helped
me to print my first book and Liz Boast, printmaker, showed me to properly make
and edition a print.

Did this have a positive or negative impact on your chosen career?

Definitely a positive impact, I really value education and it has been a big part of my
life so far. It is also a big reason why I now work in education.
Also, it has been how I have met many of my friends and colleagues. The arts is an
industry where you do rely on other people and it has been important to have lots of
similar people around. Whether that’s to give you a crit, some advice or give you
some work.

Who inspires you?
Many people, I am always looking for interesting books/films/art.
The films of Wes Anderson, Agnes Varda and Werner Herzog. All have beautiful
visuals and a great sense of place. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is also on
repeat.

In terms of artists, I always try to visit exhibitions to see and find more, seeing work
in-person is very meaningful. Recently, Tracey Emin at Tate Modern, Peter Doig at
Serpentine, Mali Morris at Churchill College and Flower Paintings from 1900 to
Today at Kettles Yard.

It is hard to choose a ‘favourite’ artist, currently it is Meret Oppenheim, other
favourites are Jenny Holzer, Pierre Bonnard, Richard Diebenkorn and Winifred
Nicholson.

I also love to have lots of books around me, mostly art, but more recently, fiction
also. I have been reading lots of Annie Ernaux who speaks about culture and her
experiences as a French woman living in the 20th/21st century.
Other books I have been inspired by are The Rings of Saturn by W.G Sebald, The
Lonely City by Olivia Laing, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga
Tokarczuk and Second Place by Rachel Cusk.

What’s the scariest thing about your job and how have you overcome it?

One of my biggest fears has always been not being able to continue working in the
arts. However, it is always possible in ways that you may not expect, for example, I
now work part-time as a printmaking technician at Harlow College. Being able to
continue being self-employed whilst having a job in the arts has been very
reassuring.It is also important to have self-belief in your work, something which definitely
grows over time (never talk down your own work!!!!!)

What do you want to change about your industry?

I think that there is a lack of support for young people who want to pursue visual
arts, I have been lucky to have opportunities and encouragement whilst I was a
teenager, such as being part of a Young Curators programme. However, these
opportunities are rare and often hard to find out about. Be vocal about what you
want to be doing, help people to find you.

I do wish that there were more formal channels for pursuing art, it can feel very
competitive and many art opportunities offer no feedback if they do not select you/
your work. This can make it hard to know what people want to see more of.
However, you just have to keep at it.

 

What advice would you give someone who is starting out in your field?

Always know that you are an artist simply by being interested in the world around
you. Art is all about noticing and taking an interest in what you are seeing and
experiencing. If you are fascinated by the shape of a leaf, a shadow on a wall or a
tube of toothpaste, go with it. One idea can form years worth of work.
There are also many ways to pursue art, unlike being a doctor, you do not need a
formal degree. Education is important but there are many ways to participate in it.
Short courses, crits and talking with friends can be as important as a degree.
However, a degree will give you time, space and peers for life.

Also, say yes to everything that feels right, it is okay to say no too. Just make sure it
is for the right reasons. Trust your gut and know that the right people will find you,
even if it takes a while.

Make the most of all opportunities, have business cards, talk to people, search out
opportunities, send emails, apply for funding, invite people to your exhibitions. It will
feel intimidating at first but it gets much easier, you will find a way which suits you.
Things happen slowly but also they can change suddenly, you never know what the
future will hold…………………………