iyla shah
B. 1998 London
iylashahstudio@outlook.com
Education
2017-2018
Camberwell College of Arts (UAL) Foundation Diploma
2019-2020
Leipzig Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst
2018-2022
Camberwell College of Arts (UAL) BA Painting
2022-2023
Glasgow School of Art Master of Letters in Fine Art Practise
Awards
Reclaim Award 2021, Cologne
Selected Group Exhibitions
June 2018, Foundations 2018, Peckham Pelican, London
February 2020, Call it a Day, HanDstand und moral, Leipzig
June 2022, Launch of the Helen McCrory Award, Alon Zakaim Fine Art, London
March 2023, Title...Pending, French Street, Glasgow
Unrestrained exploration characterizes Iyla Shah’s artistic journey, celebrating an unabashed fascination with the ordinary. From the distinct branding motifs adorning local corner shops to the evolving compositions of posters proliferating from forsaken storefronts and the captivating color palettes gracing supermarket cereal aisles, the city itself becomes a sensory feast, nurturing the inspiration for her creations.
Iyla's creative spirit is carefree and playful, flowing effortlessly through a dynamic array of artistic mediums where nothing is held too sacred, and every element is given the space to evolve. A true innovator, she seamlessly integrates sculpture, collage, printmaking, and drawing into her repertoire. Her artistic process is a layered, hands-on, and spontaneous journey, welcoming the beauty of mistakes and leaving behind tangible traces of production that infuse her pieces with an innate, authentic vitality.
Her artworks serve as a catalyst, injecting energy into our imaginations, sparking our curiosities, and guiding our focus back to the overlooked marvels of our everyday existence. Through her creations, Iyla seeks to revive our appreciation for the small-scale wonders that often escape our attention, rekindling a connection to the beauty inherent in the seemingly mundane aspects of life.
