Laura Ford

Laura Ford was born in Cardiff in 1961. She studied at Bath Academy of Art (1978-82) and at Chelsea School of Art (1982-83).

Her first solo exhibition was held at Nicola Jacobs Gallery in London, since when she has had further solo shows at Benjamin Rhodes Gallery, the Castle Museum, Nottingham, the José Friere Project Space, New York, in 1994, and Spacex, Exeter, in 1996. Her work has also been included in group exhibitions since 1982, mostly in Britain but also in Japan.

Laura Ford's sculpture and prints lie within a world inhabited by children who wish to be seen and admired, yet at the same time to hide from view. These naughty nursery inhabitants evolved from drawings of a tyrannical baby, and were followed by Bang Bang, two party dressed and balaclava'ed terrorist girls with guns (now in the Arts Council Collection). Twiglet followed - a twig headed girl in a black frock, also with guns but encircled by seven sniffing shaggy dogs, then Nature Girls.

Recent prints include the images of pretty little girls hiding in foliage, and a strident baby, the Fairy Liquid symbol of gentle strength. The resulting images entirely belie their origins. Sentimentality is overridden whilst Laura Ford allows unease and power struggles to creep in.