LAURA FORD

Born in 1961, Laura Ford grew up in a fairground family in South Wales. She studied at Bath Academy of Art (1978-82), including a term at Cooper Union School of Art in New York City, and then at Chelsea School of Art (1982-1983).

Ford's work has been shown widely in the UK and internationally for over four decades and in 2005 she represented Wales in the Venice Biennale. Solo exhibitions at institutions include: Museum im Kleihues-Bau, Stuttgart, Germany (2018); Brighton Museum and Art Gallery (2017); Schwetzingen Palace, Germany (2017); D'Ursel Castle, Belgium (2017); Pallant House, Chichester (2016); Cardiff Contemporary (2016); Kunst Galerie Fürth, Germany (2016); Abbot Hall & Blackwell House (2016); Strawberry Hill, London (2015); Villa Wessel, Iserlohn, Germany (2015, 2016); Schaetzlerpalais, Augsburg, Germany (2013); Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, USA (2011); Glynn Vivian, Swansea (2002, 2011); Turner Contemporary, Margate (2007); Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh (2006); New Art Centre, Salisbury (2006, 2012); Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston (2002); Aberystwyth Arts Centre (2002); Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno (2002); De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill (2002); Salamanca Centre of Contemporary Art, Spain (2002), Camden Arts Centre, London (duo with Jacqueline Poncelet, 1998) and Arnolfini, Bristol. UK (1999).

While still a student, Ford was invited to take part in the annual 'New Contemporaries' exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (1982) and 'The Sculpture Show' (1983) at the Serpentine and Hayward Galleries. In 2000 she was included in 'The British Art Show 5', alongside British artists like Phyllida Barlow, Jeremy Deller, Michael Landy, Susan Hiller, Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas.

Permanent outdoor sculpture works include 'Weeping Girls' at Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh, and 'Bird Boy' on The Line in Greenwich, London. Recent public commissions include 'Patient Patients' at Southmead Hospital, Bristol (2014) and Heidelberg University Children's Hospital, Germany (2012).

Laura Ford's work is represented in many public and private collections including Tate, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Government Art Collection, Southampton City Art Gallery, Potteries Museum, National Museums and Gallery of Wales; Museum of Modern Art, University of Iowa; Arts Council of Great Britain; Contemporary Art Society; Unilever plc; Penguin Books; Oldham Art Gallery; The New Art Gallery Walsall; The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery; Pallant House; University of Warwick; Visvim Tokyo, Japan; Bundesbank, Germany; Atkinson Collection, UK; Château Vullierens, Switzerland; The Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids USA; The Gateway Foundation, St. Louis; and more.

Laura Ford has been president of the Royal Society of Sculptors since 2022.

Forthcoming exhibitions include an outdoor work at Dulwich Picture Gallery launching in June 2026, and a solo exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery in 2027.