Laura Crespi, known by her art pseudonym Lora Calora, is a dedicated and exciting new artist who has found the means to express herself, as well as the opportunity to address past trauma, through her art. Painting with acrylic and mixed media, she delves into her trauma and innermost feelings, using layers and textures to create powerful visual narratives. Her work is raw and honest as well as aesthetic, and is a search to find beauty in the ugly. Each canvas she produces becomes a reflection of her personal journey, her pain, her process and ultimately her peace, inviting viewers to explore the complexities of human emotion and resilience, each canvas becoming, in the end, a piece of the artist herself.

Originally from Milan, her journey began with studying fashion and textiles at the N.A.B.A Fine Arts Academy, where she immersed herself in Milan's dynamic fashion scene. After completing her studies, she spent a few years in the fashion scene honing her skills in designing, trend forecasting, and production. Seeking deeper personal enrichment, she had travelled through various countries for several years before finding a sense of home in New Zealand, where she is now based since 2013. Following a period of severe depression in 2019, Laura turned to visual art as a form of communication and self-expression. This shift marked a significant transformation in her creative journey, as she transitioned from the world of fashion to fine art.Through her art, Laura embarks on a path of self-discovery and healing, continually evolving as she delves into themes of identity, introspection, and the intricate connections between inner experiences and their outward manifestations.

While still emerging in the local art scene, Laura's work has already begun to makewaves. She has garnered the attention of few art dealers, secured placements in group exhibitions such as: the “Affordable Art Show” (2021) at Muse Gallery in Havelock North, the “Art Deco Exhibition” (2022), and “The Hawke’s Bay Art Review” at CAN (Creative Arts Napier) (2021). She has also been published in the summer 2021/22 edition of “Living Hawke’s Bay” Magazine. Her debut solo show, “Odyssey Of A Liminal Mind,” held at Allpress Studio in Auckland in May 2024, marked a significant milestone in her burgeoning artistic career.