Laila Tara H (b.1995, London) is British-born Iranian artist, based between Tehran and London, specialising in contemporary(ish) Indo-Persian miniature(ish) painting.
Raised across the world, she paints largely autobiographical reflections of a life navigating cultures. Having specialised in Persian and Indian Miniature painting during her Masters at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, her practice is rooted in traditional methods and materials.
Drawing inspiration from the rich history of miniature painting across the Middle East and South Asia, symbolism seeps through her chosen imagery and into her means of making. All paints are hand-made from (semi-precious) mineral, stone, or plant derived pigments and her paper is natural hemp also hand-made in India or antique papers collected in Iran. Respect for the cultural and craft elements of traditional miniature painting are inherent to her practice, as an ode to nature and to the dense history that allows her to practice today. Big empty spaces, small intricately detailed additions, telling stories.
Selected Exhibitions
2021 Solo, O Gallery, Tehran, Iran (upcoming)
2021 FUTURE virtual Exhibit, ArteEast, on Artsy (upcoming)
2020 Casa Balandra Open Studios, Casa Balandra, Mallorca, Spain
2020 Nourishment Projects, VO Curations, London, United Kingdom
2020 So Good So Close, Numeroventi, Florence, Italy
2020 Art for Light, Online Auction
2020 Dance First Think Later, General Practice Gallery, Lincoln, United Kingdom
2020 To All Our Absent Dialogues, Warbling Collective, 145a Gallery, London, United Kingdom
2019 Royal Miniature Society, Mall Galleries, London, United Kingdom
2019 Carpet Pages II:Roots, Mile End Pavilion, London, United Kingdom
2019 The Prince's School of Traditional Arts MA Degree show, London, United Kingdom
2019 Dumfries House Royal MA private exhibition for HRH Prince Charles, Ayrshire, Scotland
2019 The Drunken Butler, London, United Kingdom
Residencies
2020 Casa Balandra, Mallorca, Spain
2020 Numeroventi, Florence, Italy
2016 Studio Escalier, Argenton Chateau., France
Education
The Prince's School of Traditional Arts, MA, 2019
Leiden University, BA, 2016
Florence Academy of Arts, 2014
Media
Architectural Digest India, This Instagram account dedicated to South Asian art is changing the way we look at our cultural history, 2020
Tehran Art Scene, Laila Tara H, 2020
Arts of Hindustan, The Nomadic Painter with Laila Tara H, 2020
Where About Now, Journal, Cities Inhabit the Place of Base with Laila Tara H, 2020
Hammam Radio, Sahar Ghorishi in coversation with Laila Tara H, 2020
HER Society Magazine, Femme Friday with Laila Tara H, 2017
Contact
instagram @llailatarah