The work of local artist, Laura Parker, has been chosen to to light up an Oxford St building in support of the NHS. Laura submitted her blue painting to the W1curates ‘Light It Blue’ Campaign, which shows support for the NHS through art and is thrilled that it is now displayed over three floors of the Flannels store on iconic Oxford St. She says: ‘It’s something that I am going to be proud of for a very long time!’
“In Deep” is Laura’s featured painting, and it will turn Oxford Street into a giant aquarium on the next few Thursday evenings. Part of the magic is that she does not know how many Thursdays it will be on display, but she hopes that it brings a quiet moment of hope to people walking by and looking up at the painting. Laura painted this work during the first lockdown in 2020. She is an experienced scuba diver, and imagined escaping into the quiet underwater world.
In this painting she therefore takes us diving down, enjoying the sense of being cocooned by the ocean, and gazing up at the surface far above. She painted it as an antidote to the bleakness of lockdown, as she remembered serene moments experienced under the waves.
Using bold brushwork and cool colours, Laura creates the sensation of being underwater – far away from the challenges and seclusion caused by the pandemic, gazing upwards towards the light with hope which, when lit up over such a large expanse, is truly eyecatching and uplifting.
W1 Curates believes that masterpieces should be for everyone, not just the privileged few. Too often, wonderful art can feel exclusive, secluded within dusty galleries or intimidating exhibitions. It can appear inaccessible, upper class or even old fashioned. Instead of being ignited with powerful art, people on the street are bombarded with urban advertising. They are proud to be showcasing works from some of the most innovative artist from around the world.
Find more works of art by Laura Parker at lauraparker.com
Find out more about W1Curates at w1curates.com
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