Laura Basterra Sanz
1979
(Belgium)
Spain
Laura Basterra Sanz (b. 1979, Barcelona, Spain) is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Brussels, Belgium and France. Her abstract expressionist paintings and text-based works explore the unseen connections between emotional and sensorial experiences, with a particular focus on themes of freedom, authority, and humanity's relationship with nature.
Education
Basterra holds a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from Ramon Llull University in Barcelona (2005) and completed postgraduate studies in textile printing techniques. She is currently expanding her practice through sculpture and spatial art studies at the RHoK Academy in Brussels (2024), demonstrating her commitment to continuous artistic development and interdisciplinary approaches.
Inspiration
Basterra's work is significantly influenced by her practice of journaling and communion with nature, providing a foundation for her expressions of empathy and biophilia. Her abstract expressionist approach responds directly to her environment, with particular attention to the dynamic interplay of colors as expressions of emotional states.
As she describes in her artist statement, she is "fascinated by the egocentric nature and motives of humankind," using her art to explore what it means to be truly free. Her work investigates the connection and separation between literal and metaphorical aspects of emotional and sensorial experiences, with a focus on the fluidity of water as an element and subtleties that transcend verbal expression.
Technique
Working primarily with gestural abstraction, Basterra's process is deeply intuitive and responsive to her environment. Rather than premeditating compositions, she allows her work to evolve organically, with thoughts emerging during and after the creative process. She perceives her supports as "an extension of myself, akin to a second skin," creating works that reflect a process of perception, digestion, and organic resolution.
Her approach to color is highly emotional, using vibrant palettes as manifestations of frequency and energy. Beyond painting, her practice extends to text-based works that explore the sonority of language—influenced by her early exposure to music—and installations that examine concepts of discomfort, authority, and freedom.
Exhibitions
Since establishing her practice in Brussels in 2018, Basterra has developed an international exhibition presence with shows in Belgium, the UK, Switzerland, and France. Her work has been featured at the PILAR Center for Contemporary Art and Science in Brussels, a notable institutional venue affiliated with Vrij Universiteit Brussel.
She has participated in exhibitions across major European art centers, with her solo exhibition "Rain! And So On" (2020) marking an important milestone in her career development. Her growing international presence includes participation in curated group exhibitions in London, Bern, and Paris, demonstrating the increasing recognition of her distinctive approach to abstract expressionism.
Awards and Recognition
In 2024, Basterra received the Jackson's Award through the Artist Support Pledge program in London, indicating growing recognition of her distinctive approach to abstract expressionism. Her work has received media attention, including features in prestigious publications such as Wallpaper* Magazine.
Collections
Basterra's work has been acquired by private collectors internationally, with pieces held in collections across Europe and beyond.
Representation
IdeelArt has been promoting Basterra's' distinctive abstract works since 2022.
