Photo by Ben Inglis @beni.flm_
About the Artist
Meet Laila Campbell, an emerging artist based in Sydney on Dharawal Country. Laila uses visual arts to authentically portray her world with vibrant colors, blending her love for interior decor and cats into her joyful creations.
Laila's artistry extends beyond the canvas into music and dynamic storytelling, including paper stop motion and her band's album artworks. Her work has been showcased at venues like Campbelltown Arts Centre, where she was a finalist in the Fishers Ghost Art Award. She also led an immersive workshop at Sundown Sessions inspired by her finalist entry.
In 2023, Laila was commissioned by Camden Council to create a Mobile Public Art installation for Cultural Fusion, transforming a piano into a vibrant public art piece. Her dedication to artistic expression is evident in her impactful contributions to both private and public art landscapes.
Experience within the arts:
With five years of rich experience within a gallery context, Laila has seamlessly navigated various roles, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the arts.
Her journey began at Mental Art Gallery, where she served as a Gallery Technician, playing a pivotal role in the gallery's inception. This initial experience involved not only managing the technical aspects but also taking on the responsibility of opening the gallery and facilitating engaging walk-throughs.
In 2019, Laila made significant contributions to "She Conjured the Clouds," a performance installation by Justine Williams featured in the Sydney Festival and supported by Campbelltown Arts Centre. Demonstrating her versatile skill set, Laila contributed significantly to both set and costume design, showcasing her creative acumen. Her involvement extended beyond the design phase, as she seamlessly transitioned to the performance realm, delivering a compelling and nuanced presence within the installation. She was a voiceover for the Auslan interpretive dance and worked closely with the composer (Party Dozen) to curate and deliver a vocal performance. This multifaceted engagement underscored her ability to seamlessly integrate design and performance aspects within the artistic landscape.
Her tenure at Campbelltown Arts Centre saw her evolve into the role of Gallery Technician, where she then went on to actively assist artists in the Public Art program. Collaborating with prominent figures like Jason Wing, Victoria Garcias, Bayvick Lawrence, and Savahndary Voongpoothorn, Laila contributed to projects such as "Three Mobs," "Breathing Life," and "Spinning the Fire Sutra I."
In early 2022, Laila commenced the position of Creative Educator at Campbelltown Arts Centre, engaging with children and spearheading four comprehensive programs intricately linked with ongoing exhibitions. Her commitment extended to the meticulous development of lesson plans for each term-based program. In addition to her educational endeavors, Laila actively participates in numerous gallery openings, adeptly facilitating walk-throughs for both gallery and public art exhibitions.
Currently, Laila is further enhancing her artistic journey by teaching visual arts at the Sydney Opera House, marking a significant chapter in her ongoing engagement to the arts.