Layla Wah

About the Artist

Layla Wah

Layla Wah is a multimedia collage artist whose work explores the intersection of nature, spirituality, and human experience. Her artistic philosophy centers around the Japanese concept of wabi sabi — finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence.

Working primarily with handmade papers, botanicals, paint, ink, gold leaf, and found objects, Layla creates compositions that celebrate the remnants of nature and the stories they tell. Her pieces invite viewers into a contemplative space where the organic and the crafted coexist in harmony.

Born with a deep appreciation for both Eastern and Western artistic traditions, Layla's work reflects her multicultural perspective and her belief that art should serve as a bridge between different ways of seeing and being in the world.

Her artistic practice extends beyond visual art to include poetry and writing in multiple languages, demonstrating her commitment to exploring creativity as a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries.

Artistic Philosophy

"My artwork is my wabi sabi — a place of rest and centering, a returning to essential simplicity. Remnants from Nature wedded with handmade papers, botanicals, paint, ink, gold leaf, and objets trouvés."

Exhibitions & Recognition

Current Exhibits

Solo Retrospect Exhibition – The Plastic Club, April 2027; Les Nuits Arabes VI / The Arabian Nights VI – Storytelling through Art, Pennswood Art Gallery, January 2027; Collages – Layla Wah, Solo Exhibition, St. Asaph Gallery, April 2026; 2nd Annual Judy Herman Annual Exhibition, Mainline Art Center, April 2026; Expressions of Radnor, Juried Exhibition, Wayne Art Center, March 2026; Gaia, Our Earth, Juried Exhibition, 10 Selected Works, Fine Arts Gallery of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, March/April 2026; Solo Exhibition, St. Asaph's Art Gallery, March 2026; Trenton Has Jazz, Juried Exhibition, Trenton City Museum, February 2026; Small But Mighty Art, Members Exhibition, Chester County Art Association, December 2025; Holidays, Metta Gallery, December 2025; Small Worlds, Juried Exhibition, The Plastic Club, December 2025; Small Works, Juried Exhibition, Perkins Art Center, December 2025; Small Works, West Chester County Art Association, December 2025; Small Worlds, Juried Exhibition, Medford Art Center, December 2025; Members Opened Call, West Chester County Art Association, October 2025; Perkins Center for the Arts, Juried Members Show, September 2025: Collective Works; Les Nuits Arabes/The Arabian Nights V – Radnor Memorial Library, September 2025; Open Call, Tri-Quarter FQA (Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts) Exhibition, Medford, NJ, September 2025; Little Luxuries, Juried Exhibition of Small Works, Mainline Art Center, September 2025; Members Open Call Exhibition, Wallingford Community Art Center, July 2025; Les Nuits Arabes/The Arabian Nights IV – Ludington Library, June 2025; Members Medal Juried Show – The Plastic Club, June 2025.

Previous Exhibits

First Annual Judy Herman Members Exhibition, Juried Show, Mainline Art Center, April 2025; Members Show – Open Call – Chester County Art Association, February 2025; Works on Paper, Juried Show – Medford Art Center, February 2025; New Members Exhibition – Open Call, The Plastic Club, January 2025; 300 And Under, Chester County Art Association, December 2024; Small Worlds, The Plastic Club, December 2024; By And About Women IV, National Competition Winner, Regional Center for Women in the Arts, November 2024; Little Luxuries, Juried Show, Mainline Art Center, September 2024; Group Exhibition, In the Distance, July 2024; Las Laguna Gallery, Politics in Art, Juried Show, July 1st, 2024 to April 30, 2025; Play as Inspiration, Juried Show, Abington Art Center, June 2024, Artwork used for Abington Art Center Promo Card; Group Exhibition: Teachers & Members, Mainline Art Center, March 2024; Storytelling thru Art – Les Nuits Arabes III, Solo Exhibition, New Work, Gladwyn Library, October 2024; Storytelling thru Art – Les Nuits Arabes II, Solo Exhibition, New Work, Radnor Memorial Library, February 2024; Expressions of Radnor, Wayne Art Center, February 2024; Les Nuits Arabes/The Arabian Nights – Storytelling thru Art, Solo Exhibition, Ludington Library, September 2023; Las Leguna Gallery, Storytelling, October 5 – 28, 2023; Las Leguna Gallery, Open Theme, July 6 – 29, 2023; Summer Juried Show 2023, Abington Art Center, Ethnicity Through the Eyes of the Artist, June 9th to July 24th, 2023; 159th Small Oils Juried Exhibition, Philadelphia Sketch Club, May 5th through 21st, 2023; Art of the Flower Juried Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, April 2023; Domenic Di Stafano Mercurial Work Paper Juried Exhibit, Philadelphia Sketch Club, March 2023; Wayne Art Center Member Juried Exhibit, October 2021, 2022, Wayne, PA; Expressions of Radnor, February 2023, Wayne Art Center; Abington Art Center Summer Juried Show, June 2022, Abington, PA; Les Nuits Arabes/The Arabian Nights, Solo Exhibition, Ludington Library, Bryn Mawr, PA, September – October 2023, Bryn Mawr, PA; Elements of Nature, January 2022, with a second show February 2022, J.Maine Gallery, Vorhees, NJ; Visions of Self, February 2022, Yosemite Sierra Artists, Oakhurst, CA; Open Call, Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach CA; Thru the World Lightly, Solo Retrospect Exhibition, May 2000; Spirit Song, Doylestown, PA. In previous years, I participated in community group shows in Bucks County, such as Juried Exhibit Phillips Mills in New Hope, PA, Trenton Museum, Trenton NJ, and New York City community group shows.

Techniques & Materials

Mixed Media Collage

Combining traditional and contemporary materials to create layered compositions that tell stories through texture and color.

Natural Elements

Incorporating botanicals, handmade papers, and found objects from nature to create authentic connections to the earth.

Gold Leaf Application

Using precious metals to highlight sacred elements and create focal points that draw the viewer into contemplation.

Layered Storytelling

Building narratives through multiple layers of meaning, allowing viewers to discover new elements with each viewing.