Leila Bartell is a London-based painter and film director who investigates the interplay between humanity, nature, and the individual psyche in her work. Drawing inspiration from a myriad of sources — poetry, music, dreams, and memories — her artistic process is a kaleidoscope of influences. What unites these diverse inspirations is Bartell's unwavering pursuit of emotions and moods that resonate with her, serving as the foundation of her visual expression, primarily in oils and acrylics on canvas.

Since 2018, Bartell has worked from her Notting Hill studio, making her debut in a group show in May 2021. Her solo exhibition, held at 12 Hay Hill, Mayfair, through J Nicholls Projects in 2023, showcased a body of work titled Departure from Erebus. In August and September 2024, Bartell presented her first institutional show at Galerija Kocka, Slovenia. Currently, Bartell is showing a new body of work at the Daniel Katz Gallery in London. The paintings are a contemporary response to Filippo Parodi's Cimon and Iphigenia, engaging in a dialogue with the sculpture by translating its emotional intensity and dynamic tension into a modern idiom. Bartell’s work has also been featured in international group exhibitions, such as Art in The Age of Now (London, 2021) and Birds x Frieze LA (Los Angeles, 2024). Bartell is also featured in upcoming group shows, including FRAGILE at The Bomb Factory Art Foundation and A Room of Her Own at Upsilon Gallery, both in London in November 2024.

In addition to her exhibitions, Bartell’s work has attracted media attention, with features in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, underscoring her growing influence in the contemporary art world.

In her films, Bartell explores existential themes, often incorporating contemporary dance and music to convey messages of empowerment and redemption. Her film Ārka (2021), featuring photographer and model Laura Bailey, explores the concept of transcending inner limitations, while Rebirth delves into the complexities of personal identity.

Bartell’s pieces are part of notable collections, including the Daniel Katz Collection in the UK and the Elie Khouri Art Foundation in Dubai, as well as institutional collections like the Lower Carniola Museum (Dolenjski Muzej) in Slovenia and the South Balaton Contemporary Art and Sustainability Foundation in Hungary (2023).

As an emerging artist, Leila Bartell continues to evolve her vision, exploring various mediums to craft a cohesive artistic narrative that transcends individual paintings.