SAATCHI GALLERY PRESENTS THE DEBUT SOLO EXHIBITION OF SOFIA LASKARI

• From 16 March, Saatchi Gallery will present the work of London-based figurative painter, Sofia Laskari, winner of the Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award 2023
• The exhibition will feature an extensive selection of works from Laskari’s ‘Body and Flesh’ series, previously only shown in part at smaller venues

LONDON, UK – Saatchi Gallery is delighted to present the debut solo exhibition of Sofia Laskari, the youngest ever recipient of the Robert Walters UK New Artist of the Year Award held at Saatchi Gallery. Selected in 2023 from a record-breaking 1,600 entrants, Laskari impressed judges with her strong storytelling, rich symbolism and exemplary technique.

This exhibition will showcase 19 works from her ‘Body and Flesh’ series, in which Laskari experiments with vibrant colours and textures to present vast surfaces of painterly flesh. Her often claustrophobic images – where powerful self-portraiture dominates in ambiguous recurring interiors – address feelings of isolation, distress, rage and vulnerability

Laskari’s work is deeply personal, offering a relatable exploration of the human experience. Her pieces delve into the physical and mental challenges individuals face, inviting viewers to ponder the complexities of life, prompting questions and encouraging thoughtful engagement with the narratives she presents.

Laskari has recently achieved her BA in Fine Art and has exhibited at APT Gallery, SPG Galleries, RBSA Gallery and London Biennale 2023. Her work has also been published in Start in Art and Art Market magazines.

Sofia Laskari: “It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity to present my first solo show at Saatchi Gallery. It means a lot to me when people can find ways to connect with my work on their own level of understanding. My work can be viewed as a visual diary of emotional and physical states of being, whether they be derived from a personal experience or a societal one.”

Lily Waterton, Programming Manager at Saatchi Gallery: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sofia back to Saatchi Gallery for her debut show, as part of our ongoing commitment to platforming emerging artists. Sofia’s raw and vulnerable work demonstrates the exceptional quality of emerging artists working in the UK and pays testament to the strength of our collaboration with The Robert Walters Group and UK New Artists in helping to discover them.”