Laetitia Olivier-Gargano’s practice is driven by a close survey of food, plants and everyday objects, through surreal, sculptural reimagining. By blurring the boundaries of complex yet recognisable forms her work at once sparks feelings of fascination and repulsion. These edible and domestic items speak to deeply personal emotions, recollections and associations. Her work often engenders bodily responses from viewers due to their intense familiarity, yet complete absurdity. Our stomach turns, and we want to look away, but curiosity stops us. It is this uncanny sensation and the universality of it that her works make us aware of.
Laetitia is an emerging artist, currently based in Melbourne. She graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) from Monash University. Her work has been exhibited nationally at institutions such as Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), Cement Fondu and UNSW Galleries, Sydney, and has also featured in publications including Broadsheet, Artist Profile and Art + Australia. In 2019 Laetitia received the Freedman Foundation Travelling Scholarship for Emerging Artists, administered by NAVA. She undertook research in Japan, learning how to make their iconic plastic food samples. Laetitia’s practice often involves “hyper-surrealistic” resin cast sculpture, stop-motion animation and works on paper.
