What the Earth Keeps, 2026

Lara Sayegh  

Lara Sayegh is a British-Iraqi artist based in London whose practice draws directly from the physical and sensory experience of the natural environment. Through gestural brushstrokes, she translates elemental forces, particularly wind and water, into fluid, gestural compositions that emphasise rhythm, depth and movement over representation. Her close relationship with the sea, shaped by surfing, informs a deeply embodied approach to painting. Time spent immersed in water heightens her sensitivity to motion and energy, allowing lived, sensory experiences to be transformed into tactile, expressive works.

Lara works predominantly with oil, treating each surface as a responsive, evolving field. Colour is layered gradually through intuitive gestures, allowing texture to emerge as both structure and sensation. These surfaces recall the slow processes of erosion and tidal movement, holding traces of shifting environments rather than fixed imagery. As light and viewpoint change, the paintings reveal subtle variations in tone and depth.

Her process is physical and rhythmic, often performed across large-scale surfaces on both floor and wall. While the gestures appear instinctive, they are guided by a considered sense of balance and control. Rooted in abstract expressionism, her paintings resist fixed narratives, remaining deliberately open to interpretation. Lara approaches each work as a space for reflection, inviting viewers to engage slowly and construct their own meanings.

Since beginning to share her practice publicly in 2021, Lara has gained significant international visibility. Her filmed painting process, marked by sweeping gestures, resonated widely online, reaching over 21 million viewers and positioning her as one of the most influential emerging artists within the digital contemporary art sphere.