Laura Lleal was born and raised in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Her family was in construction for four generations and her grandfather owned a “bobila” (a brickyard) near Barcelona. Laura grew up seeing how the bricks were being made in the immense underground kilns. Growing up in Barcelona also enabled Laura to be surrounded by the beautiful architecture, art and culture of the city which was a crucial element in her evolution as an artist and her relationship between process and outcome.

Laura earned a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Design from the Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Engineering in 1993. It was there that she learned and familiarized herself with most industrial and construction processes as well as becoming an avid woodworker and welder.

After moving to New York City in 1994 Laura worked for several architectural firms including the workshop of the renowned Italian artist and architect Gaetano Pesce. While there, Laura produced several museum pieces for the exhibition “Mutant Materials” at the MoMa NY. She also produced pieces for the exhibition “Le Temps des Questions” at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, France in 1996. Laura was a volunteer at Sotheby’s Photography Department in New York, NY.

In the year 2000, Laura enrolled as a full-time student at the Art Students League in New York where she studied sculpture under Jonathan Shahn. In 2002 Laura was awarded a scholarship to study at the Art Studio School in New York as a full-time sculpture student. In 2006 Laura moved to Dallas, TX, where she contiuned her evolution. Every change of place brought a new perspective and direction in Laura’s work as an artist.

Professionally, Laura has worked in architecture and construction her entire career. She has designed several museums, including the Barbier-Mueller Samurai Collection, in Dallas, TX. Most recently she served as Director of Design and Construction at Cartier Americas in NY, NY, as well as Vice President of Architecture and Construction at Harwood International, working between Dallas and London, where her knowledge of construction methods continued to grow and feed her artistic practice.

In 2022, Laura relocated to Miami FL, where she is continuing to expand her artistic vocabulary and exploration embodying the human condition.

EDUCATION

2002 - Scholarship Sculpture Program, New York Studio School. NY, NY.

2001 - Sculpture Program, Art Students League, NY, NY.

1993 - BA Industrial Design, Elisava School of Design & Engineering, Barcelona, Spain.

EXHIBITIONS

2024 - “Under construction”. Solo Exhibition, 1343 Studios, Miami FL. (curated by Rofaida Zaid, RZG)

2017 - “I Wish You Were Here”, A.I.R. National Artists exhibition, Brooklyn, NY (curated by Helga Christoffersen)

2017 - “Notes from the center”, Vignette Women’s Art Fair, Dallas, TX (curated by Chelsea Pierce)