Laila Tara H | Studio Visit

Laila Tara H (b. 1995, London) is British-Iranian artist, based between Tehran and London. 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.