Laura Tolen Cameroonian , b. 1997

Laura Tolen  investigates memory, intertwining archival images of her family with imaginative narratives that bridge intergenerational connections. Using old family photographs, Tolen unites family members from different times and spaces, most of whom have never physically interacted. Through this amalgamation, she weaves together a semi-fictional family history, breathing life into her familial legacy. Tolen's drawings serve as maps connecting the landscapes of Cameroon, France, and other locales. Her compositions incorporate the visual juxtapositions of old colonial buildings, nature's reclamation of ruins, and fallen statues. Central to her exploration is the notion of how memory is constructed, modified, and passed down through generations. In her quest to reclaim and reconstruct the family narrative, Tolen transforms from a passive subject into the director of her family's story, offering viewers a personal perspective on the dynamic interplay of history, memory, and familial bonds.

Originally from Douala, Cameroon, Tolen graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. She currently lives and works in Paris. She has exhibited in Paris, Cameroon, Italy and most recently 2023 FNB art fair in Johannesburg, South Africa.