We Met Over Coffee: Local Artist Laura Sallade
If you’ve stopped by Saxbys 11th & Locust lately, chances are you immediately spotted Laura Sallade’s stunning artwork on our walls. As huge fans of her work ourselves, we jumped at the chance to visit her North Philly studio, which is neatly divided into a workshop for her impressive silver nitrate pieces and a light-filled studio for her works on paper. It’s part science lab, too — Laura experiments with mylar, glass, and silver nitrate to achieve specific shapes and patterns. “If you’ve been working for awhile, you develop a language of your own and can translate it into different materials,” Laura explained. Keep scrolling for a peek at what goes into each piece, plus the scoop on Laura’s fave Philly neighborhoods and how she takes her coffee (obviously, we had to ask).
Psst…Saxbys 11th & Locust isn’t our only café with rotating local art! If you’re interested in showing your work at your Saxbys, definitely get in touch.
Tell us about you! When did you first know you wanted to be an artist?
I knew I wanted to study art by high school, but looking back on my earlier days, a lot of my tendencies make more sense now. I think I was always an artist.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
I think I could describe anyone else’s aesthetic better than my own. I would say that my work is process-oriented and materials driven, touching on elements of architecture and design. I strive for strong cohesive compositions with multiple micro-levels, allowing the work to be both simple and complex. I love anything pristine and subtle. That’s what I like; whether I’m there or not is another question.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
I’m very drawn to anything translucent because of the possibilities it offers with layering. I love steel because of how forgiving a material it is — I can change my mind seventeen times with a steel project, which works for the way I think. I think glass is my favorite, because it’s beautiful and intimidating and it’s a liquid, which is just cool.
We’re all so obsessed with your silver nitrate pieces! What was the inspiration behind that?
About five years ago, I found a bunch of pieces of architectural glass. I won’t say where. I was so drawn to this material and didn’t know why, so I decided to haul a couple tons of glass to my studio. After a few months of laboring over these slabs, I came across this chemical process which could manipulate the glass optically, and right away I knew it was what I’d been waiting for because it would allow me to work in a way that was intrinsic to the properties of the material.
Over the last four years, I’ve experimented with this process. It’s wild and finicky if you want to control it, but I’ve been able to engineer a couple techniques to make specific imagery. Most of the time, the less I do, the better it looks. Turns out, science doesn’t need my help being beautiful.
How did you first hear about Saxbys?
It’s hard to say, but I think my first encounter with Saxbys was when I wandered into a location near Center City. A coffee shop is always promising to improve anyone’s day.
How did you decide what pieces to gallery at Saxbys?
I like to show work that is current. The glass pieces I’m showing now are a new series of silverings in which I’m using a new technique. There are also two drawings which are a little older, but I thought they fit with the aesthetic of the café.
We’re so happy to be hosting a Philly artist in one of our Philly cafés! What are some of your favorite things about the city? What sets it apart from other cities for you?
I’ve lived in Philly for six years now. I feel a certain familiarity with my city now. Philly is rich with culture and history, and I’m not just talking about the museums and the Liberty Bell. There are restaurants and other business that have run in families for years, and lots of festivals and live music. There are various distinct districts and neighborhoods, each with a unique personality, and everyone is really proud of their own hood. There’s also a lot of room for growth — old buildings are being turned over and bringing new and exciting opportunities into the city. Philly is a place to make moves.
What are your favorite places to go in Philly? (Besides Saxbys, of course…)
I love running along the Schuylkill. Some of my favorite neighborhoods these days have been Fishtown and Old City.
We have to ask! What’s your go-to order at Saxbys?
To be honest, I love coffee so much, that I usually just drink it black. Give me the bitterest thing you’ve got behind the counter. Although, I’d never turn down a mocha.
