Laura Swale
British-born Laura Swale (b. 1973, London, UK) is a mixed media painter based in Malta, EU.
Her dynamic fine art practice is characterised by an ongoing exploration of themes such as physics, music, nature and the intricate human experience within contemporary society.
Through print-making, collage, drawing and painting in oil, acrylic and mixed media, Laura explores the physical properties and possibilities of materials. Mark-making and paint effects build nuanced layers, revealing an interplay between what is visible and what remains hidden, reflecting a deeper inquiry into perception and reality. This experimental approach uses the material and sensory to embody the internal human experience through our filters of the outside world, to seek meaning and turn observation into critical commentary.
Laura’s personal fine art practice and commercial art projects operate in a symbiotic relationship, each enriching the other. While her commercial work involves large-scale, site-specific commissions that integrate artistic solutions into architectural spaces, it is continually informed by the conceptual and material explorations of her personal practice. In turn, her fine art benefits from the challenges of scale and client collaboration presented by her commercial endeavours, creating a unified and evolving artistic voice that maintains integrity across all contexts.
Laura earned a BA (Hons) in Illustration and Graphic Design from Bath Spa University and a PGCE post-graduate certificate in education from Cardiff Metropolitan University. She developed her creative practice alongside a 15-year teaching career, during which she led visual arts departments and taught art, design, textiles and photography. Her experience as an Artist in Residence at Leighton Park in England further honed her ability to integrate art within educational and public contexts.
In 2016, Laura relocated to Malta, founding the award-winning visual arts platform, Allura. Beyond its online gallery Allura Art and video series Artist Secrets, Allura orchestrates exhibitions and open studio events, actively promoting local artists and fostering community engagement. Laura's extensive background in cultural event planning, gallery work and curatorial practice, coupled with her role as an art writer for national newspapers like the Times of Malta and the Allura Art Blog, demonstrates her deep understanding of the arts ecosystem and her capacity for critical communication. She is also a recognised voice in the arts sector, serving on judging panels for several art prizes, most notably the Sovereign Art Prize, and has received awards for her entrepreneurial work in showcasing creative talent.
Laura's practice is a continuous dialogue between creative exploration, pedagogical insight and a commitment to public engagement, positioning her as a unique contributor to Malta's contemporary art landscape.