ABOUT LAURA
I grew up in Limerick, Ireland, where I spent much of my childhood drawing portraits of my favorite celebrities. Faces fascinated me early on - expression, attitude and personality were always more interesting to me than perfection. That instinct has stayed with me and continues to shape my work today.
In 2026 I moved to Brighton, a city whose creativity, diversity and energy had a huge impact on me. Since then my practice has evolved through curiosity, experimentation and a love of colour - always driven by a desire to celebrate individuality and self-expression.
Artist Statement
My work explores identity, confidence, and the right to take up space. I paint colourful people and drag figures who embody self‑expression, wit, and power, using vibrant colour, glittering detail, and expressive mark‑making to amplify their presence. By painting drag and self-presentation as fine art, my work celebrates confidence as an aesthetic in its own right. Through originals and prints, this energy moves beyond the canvas into everyday life - creating bold affirming images for homes and shared spaces.
After studying with Milan Art Institute, I fell in love with oil painting and abstract realism. My process now involves many layers of abstraction, textured mixed media and figurative realism. By combining the two I enjoy creating art that entertains, confronts, and uplifts—inviting viewers to celebrate themselves as boldly as the subjects portrayed.
Bio
Laura Maher is an Irish contemporary figurative artist based in Brighton, UK. Raised in Limerick and trained at the Limerick School of Art and Design, Laura’s work is rooted in a mixture of realism and expressive experimentation. After relocating to Brighton in 2016, she drew inspiration from the city’s vibrant creative community, colourful characters and strong drag culture.
Through layered oil and mixed media, Laura builds striking, tactile surfaces that invite close looking and insist on recognition. Drawing inspiration from drag culture, unique personas, and the exuberant personalities of her subjects, she renders flamboyance with artisan craft: textured layers, expressive deliberate brushwork, and intricate oil painted details that give each work a unique voice.
Laura’s practice centres on creating work that empowers: bright, bold portrayals of women, men, and figures that challenge gender norms refuse to be backgrounded. Her originals and high-quality prints bring theatrical glamour into a wide variety of spaces, encouraging viewers to embrace confidence, playfulness, and authenticity. With a quirky, unapologetic aesthetic, Laura’s paintings function as both visual spectacle and intimate portraiture—demanding attention, inviting curiosity and sparking conversation.