Creatively curious by nature, her work is inspired by her imagination, historical research, documentary photography and the possibilities of different mediums, techniques and surfaces; resulting in an eclectic mix of work with a strong focus on portraiture.
Harris’ creative practice is driven by a desire to uncover the stories of those often overlooked and marginalised by history. Adding humanity and a full inner life to the characters she depicts, each subject is an exploration of identity and belonging. Through sensitively observed figurative paintings and drawings her work seeks to explore and expand our understanding of the everyday lives hopes dreams and fears of ordinary people in a bid to close gaps in representation.
Receiving nationwide recognition of her work Harris was recently a finalist for the Museums Association Decolonisation Award 2023 for her ‘Black Lancastrians’ Exhibition at Judges’ Lodgings Museum in Lancaster and awarded Runner Up in the V&A Illustration Awards 2022 Book Cover Category for her work on the first illustrated edition of ‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker, published by the Folio Society. Harris’ work resides in private collections around the world and has been acquired by several public collections including Abbot Hall Gallery, Kendal; Judges’ Lodgings Museum, Lancaster and Lancaster University.
Awards and Prizes
2024 The Lake Artists Society – Youdells Art Prize Winner
2023 Museums Association : Decolonising Museums Award – Finalist
2022 V&A Illustration Award – Runner Up – Book Cover Category
2022 Derwent Art Prize – Shortlist
Commissions
‘Martin Luther King Jr’ – The New York Times, 2026
‘Giovanni’s Room’ by James Baldwin, Illustrated by Lela Harris
Published by The Folio Society 2025
‘Austen and Turner : A Country House Encounter’ – Artist in Residence
Harewood House, Leeds 2025
‘Facing The Past : Black Lancastrians’
Judges’ Lodgings Museum, Lancashire County Council 2022-2023
‘The Color Purple’ by Alice Walker, Illustrated by Lela Harris
Published by The Folio Society 2021
Solo Exhibitions
‘Held’ – Brewery Arts, Kendal 2026
‘From The Margins’ – All Over Each Otter, Otley 2026
‘Lost & Found’ – Assembly Art Gallery, Lancaster 2025
‘Here To Wonder’ – Lancaster University Library 2023
Group Exhibitions
‘The Pearls’, Manchester Contemporary, Manchester 2025
‘Drawing Paper Show 25’ Bridewell Studios, Liverpool 2025
‘The Art of Folio’ The Society of Illustrators, New York 2025
‘Rogue Women 3’ – Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester 2024
‘NEAC Annual 2024 Exhibition’ – Mall Galleries London 2024
‘Collection Galleries – Stories from the Lakeland arts collection’ Abbot Hall Gallery, Kendal 2024
‘RBSA Drawing Prize Exhibition’ RBSA Gallery, Birmingham 2023
‘Facing The Past : Black Lancastrians’ Solo Exhibition, Judges’ Lodgings Museum, Lancaster 2023
‘Coalescence’ – Contemporary Six Gallery, Manchester 2023
V&A, London – Illustration Awards 2022
The Pastel Society Exhibition 2022
The Old School Gallery, Alnmouth – Summer Exhibition 2021
Silson Contemporary Gallery, Harrogate – Summer Exhibition 2020
Residencies
Colab – Body & Place Residency – Owlpen Manor, Gloucestershire 2025
Photo Credit & © Dunja Opalko