It is always a huge treat to visit Laurance’s studio in Kentish Town. It is like a sweet shop full of the most wonderfully original pieces, all crafted with such expertise and a quirky sense of design. The last time I visited her, she had come in from her studio, and still inspired had started to paint magical patterns all over the walls of her kitchen. Laurance is one of those lucky people who are just innately artistic. From the way she decorates her home, dresses and works, in every aspect of her life, colour and design are paramount. As a result of seeing the mural in her home, I invited her to come and stay and paint a wonderful mural full of birds and leaves on our bedroom wall in Longstock. The mural absolutely makes the room, and sits so well in-between the 15th century wonky beams.
Laurance Simon was born in 1959 in Paris. She abandoned studying languages at the Sorbonne to pursue her passion for art. She decided to study in the UK, and took a foundation course at Wimbledon College of Art, followed by a BA Degree at Camberwell and an MA at Cardiff School of Art, graduating in 1986. By then she had met her husband, and English architecture student, and decided to make England her home.
Upon graduating her work was included in an exhibition of ceramics at The Dulwich Picture Gallery. In 1994 she had a solo exhibition in the Crafts Council shop at the V & A. Fortnum and Mason’s hosted an exhibition of her work in 2013 titled ‘Time for Tea”. In the intervening years Laurance has exhibited widely in France, Spain, Belgium and is a regular at The Ceramic Art London Fair at the Royal College of Art. She has had numerous articles written about her work.