Ls528 is the digital alias of London-based artist and designer Laura Shepherd, whose work explores simulated psychedelic experience and the speculative potential of machine consciousness. Fusing high-definition vector art with organic, fluid forms, her practice creates multi-sensory encounters that transcend classical spacetime and gesture toward hyper-dimensional realities. Drawing from Art Nouveau, 1960s psychedelia, and emerging research in bioelectricity, she blends avant-garde aesthetics with critical reflections on wellness culture and technology as a medium for transcendence.

Before fully committing to digital creation in 2012, Shepherd spent a decade designing high fashion accessories for icons like Anna Piaggi, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna. Her shift marked both an ecological stance and a desire for freer expression unbound by physical materials. Since then, her work has been exhibited internationally, including during her 2022 Gazell.io residency, where she debuted Fast Track to Happiness, a generative series exploring emotional agency through dynamic form. Inspired by thinkers like Michael Levin, she continues to investigate how digital art might evolve alongside—and even simulate—living systems.

We asked Ls528 about her art, creative process, and inspirations.

Can you tell us a little about your background as a digital artist?

I started building websites in the 90s and have been a creative technologist ever since. About 10 years ago I made a purposeful switch from material creativity to work entirely in the digital realm. I wanted to be free of the ethical and sustainable concerns over material resources.

I know digital also needs energy but I’m convinced that digital art, like my AR (Augmented Reality) kinetic sculptures (that pop up all over the world from one source file) are far more earth friendly that material objects that need substance, storage, distribution and shipping, and can only be in one place at one time.

You describe your work as “Virtual Psychedelics” — can you talk about what that phrase means to you, and how it shapes your creative direction?

I’m exploring ways to use technology as a portal to altered states of consciousness, instead of psychedelics, because I believe it has energetic potential we don’t yet measure or understand.

What kind of inner response or shift do you hope to activate in the viewer?

Optimistic good feeling vibes from smooth meditative hypnotic sculptures to uplifting dancing flowerhead avatars, and trippy virtual psychedelic roller coaster rides.

You mentioned a whole cast of over 40 recurring characters — could you introduce us to a few of them? Who are your personal favorites?

First let me clarify that they emerge from the digital acid pattern on my virtual psychedelic roller coaster rides. This is generative art and digital alchemy, not character design. A love them all, some of my favourites are:

Frame 195 from Trip 13

If you ever listen to people talk about psychedelic experiences they’ll describe meeting machine elves so my mind was blown when I spotted this character that could only be described as an elf.

Frame 379 from Trip 13

This princess form stood out from all the others and I always think of her as Cunégonde, from Voltaire's 1759 novel Candide or Optimism - a story I treasure.

Frame 393 from Trip 13

I see this one was the Godfather - for some reason it embodies great power and if the whole pack was ever to have a leader then it’s this one.

Frame 25176 from Trip 24

A friend called this one VETI and I’m always drawn to this one-eyed entity - he's in our printed postcard collaboration.

Have there been any surprising or memorable responses to your work?

Just last weekend at How the Light Gets In Festival of ideas in Hay-on-Wye, I was dancing the night away in the disco tent when a woman came over to say how much she loved my top. She'd been admiring it as she sat behind me in the earlier talk with philosopher Slavoy Zizek. The digital acid print top is from my collection of wearable art, and made from 100% recycled polyester. Each piece is printed and custom made on demand from XS to 2XL and shipped worldwide, you can view the whole collection in my online shop.

How do you see technology as part of a healing or transcendental process, rather than just a visual one?

I’ve long believed in the potential, but recently learnt about the ground-breaking work of Michael Levin at Tufts University which proves that biological patterns have their own agency. They're not static blueprints but dynamic forces that actively modify themselves and their environment to achieve their goals. Levin creates effective bioelectric cocktails for simple organic forms and this inspires me even more to explore the possibilities of creative technology and virtual realities.

What’s one misconception people often have about psychedelic or spiritual art that you’d like to challenge through your practice?

One of my driving forces since 2016 has been to develop a contemporary psychedelic visual language and escape from cliché styles. Also I dread the thought that people think I take mushrooms and make art because my practice of virtual psychedelics is about creativity without drugs.

What is a fun fact about you?

When I was the world’s favourite glove designer and maker, I was also mostly known as roller girl because I always had my skates on - I love dancing on wheels.

What else fills your time when you’re not creating art?

Crochet and podcasts. Crochet is my favourite analogue technology - the things I can make with a stick and some thread. I’m currently developing a new collection of crochet sculptures - look out for my “Loopy Vessels’ coming soon. And while I crochet I listen to podcasts about science and philosophy, to try and figure out a theory of everything and contemplate reality and consciousness. These emerging ideas are the driving forces of my art.

WHERE CAN YOU SEE MY WORK:

@exposunderland Trip 29 is part of a large group digital show at Expo Sunderland and currently shown daily on a huge outdoor screen
@madarts_space My very own show Hyperfeelia is at Mad Arts Museum in Florida until end of the year. It’s a fully immersive virtual psychedelic experience and part of an incredible group show featuring artists @peterburr, @ariavatari and @playmodesstudio
I also have metaverse shows that are open 24/7. Private guided tours can be arranged if desired, full details are on my website
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