Layla Andrews

Layla Andrews
Born
Layla Andrews

1997 (age 28–29)
EducationUniversity of Brighton (BA)
Years active2013–present
Websitewww.laylaandrews.com

Layla Andrews (born 1997) is an English painter, sculptor and curator.

Early life

Andrews was raised in Petersfield, Hampshire by her mother and grandmother. Her grandfather is Saint Helenian. Andrews attended the Petersfield School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Literature and Culture from the University of Brighton.

Career

Andrews first gained prominence at age 15 when she submitted a portrait she painted in school of Nelson Mandela to the South African Embassy. The painting was accepted and displayed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Andrews was invited to attend Mandela's funeral.

In 2015, Andrews stayed with family friends in Washington DC who worked in design and carpeting at the White House. A portrait she painted of Barack Obama earned attention from Obama himself.

Andrews' first solo exhibition It's All Gravy was held at the Oxo Tower on London's South Bank in 2017. She returned to the Oxo Tower in 2019 for her second solo exhibition Feast and Famine.

In 2021, Andrews took part in her first group exhibitions Heart of the Matter at Gillian Jason Gallery in London and the inaugural All Together Now at Big Yin Gallery in St Leonards-on-Sea. Her third solo exhibition Ahzun was held at the Old Bank Vault. That autumn, Andrews was appointed Artist in Residence at Brixton Village. Through this, she curated her first exhibition titled A Fish Without a Bicycle in 2022. The exhibition featured the rising artists Jo Kitchen, Louisa Tratalos, Gayle Ebose, Imogen Allen, Charlotte Mei, Melissa Kitty Jarram and Sheila Maurice-Grey.

Also in 2022, India Rose James began championing Andrews' work at her gallery the Soho Revue, starting with the solo exhibition Good Company. Andrews' work featured in the 2022 Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) Chelsea Windows, curated by Bella Bonner-Evans and the Bristol group exhibition Spring Greens. For International Women's Day 2022, Andrews featured on the Evening Standard list of "London women changing the world".

Andrews returned to Evans' Soho Revue with the solo exhibitions Bastard Gurmwood in 2023 and Flies in Amber in 2024.

Exhibitions

Solo

Curated

Group

References

  1. ↑ "Meet the Artist". Surrey Life. May 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Gibson, Edwin (22 May 2017). "Artist stages show with support from Obama". The Argus. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Alexander, Ella (30 June 2021). "Meet Layla Andrews: the working-class artist loved by Barack Obama". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Former Student Layla Andrews" (PDF). ToPics Newsletter. July 2020. p. 22. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Lizzie (14 February 2019). "Humanities student praised by Obama has London show". University of Brighton. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  6. ↑ James, India Rose (8 January 2025). "Spotlight: Layla Andrews". The Wick. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  7. ↑ Lambert, Megan. "Breaking the art ceiling with rising star, Layla Andrews". Lick. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Artist Layla Andrews showcases newest work". The Argus. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  9. ↑ Walton, Millie (29 March 2021). "Heart of the Matter: Female Artists at Gillian Jason Gallery". Trebuchet. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Knight, Amanda (3 September 2021). "New Gallery in St Leonards: Big Yin". Hastings Independent. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  11. ↑ Hashish, Amira (13 September 2021). "Area guide to Brixton: artist Layla Andrews on the best places for live music, good food and drinks". Evening Standard. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  12. ↑ Wickes, Jade (8 March 2022). "Dive into Layla Andrews' new exhibition at Brixton Village". The Face. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  13. ↑ Gorny, Liz (8 March 2022). "Layla Andrews and six artists, including Charlotte Mei, visualise a funny saying about a fish and a bicycle for IWD". It's Nice That. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  14. ↑ Kehoe, Lucy (8 March 2022). "SUITCASE Magazine's Favourite Women Creatives You Should Be Following". Suitcase. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  15. ↑ Westall, Mark (19 April 2022). "'Good Company,' a solo show of works by Brixton based artist, Layla Andrews". Fad. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  16. ↑ Westall, Mark (20 June 2022). "Artwork by London-based emerging artists to take over Kings Road shopfront windows". Fad. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  17. ↑ Nixon, Andrew (28 February 2022). "Best of the West – March 2022". The Floating Circle. RWA. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  18. ↑ Strick, Katie (8 March 2022). "International Women's Day: 22 amazing London women changing the world in 2022". Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  19. ↑ Brzezinski, Victoria (29 October 2023). "How to decorate like a modern cowboy". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "Layla Andrews "Flies in Amber" @ Soho Revue, London". Juxtapoz. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2025.