Laura Lappi is interested in observing and examining how architecture and spatial environments influence our perceptions and affect reality; in particular, her focus is on the experience and emotional charge of different places and the fluid boundaries between reality and fiction. Her sculptural practice explores the relationship between physical spaces, man-made structures, and the human mind – the psychogeography of places.
The starting point of her work usually comes from a real, existing location, which she explores by researching its history and geography. Based on these places, she creates sculptures and site-specific installations, using photography and videography as a means to document them.
Lappi was born and raised in Finland, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in The Netherlands and currently live and work on the cusp of Brooklyn and Queens. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including solo exhibitions at Flushing Meadows Corona park and Lorimoto gallery in New York City, The Yard in Colorado Springs and Galleria Uusi Kipinä in Finland, and numerous group exhibitions including Firetti Contemporary (UAE), Riihimäki Art Museum (FIN), Galleria Titanik (FIN), Trestle Gallery (US), AC Institute (US), Galleri Vest (IS), SÍM Gallery (IS), Kunstpodium T (NL), Twente Biennale (NL), Re:Rotterdam International Art Fair (NL), Supermarket Art Fair (SE) and Recyclart Art Center (BE).
Lappi’s residencies include Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, Marble House Projects in Dorset, SÍM in Reykjavik and Vermont Studio Center in Johnson. She has been awarded grants from the Art in the Parks: Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York, Alfred Kordelin Foundation Finland, The Queens Council on the Arts, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Frame Contemporary Art Finland and Arts Promotion Centre Finland. Her recent fellowships include the Bronx Museum of the Arts AIM fellowship program and NYFA Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program.
Lappi is represented by Firetti Contemporary in Dubai.