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Amal Laala (born Naarm/Melbourne, 1979) is a socially engaged artist, educator, and practice-based researcher. Working between the countries of her ancestry and birth — Morocco, Finland, and Australia — Laala explores care, identity, and belonging through participatory and site-responsive approaches. Her practice activates public space and community dialogue to address socio-political and cultural issues, often weaving together personal and collective narratives.
Delicately negotiating multiple identities, languages, and cultural inheritances, Laala uses performance, installation, video, photography and social interventions to communicate subversive content as acts of empowerment and repair. She holds an MA in Environmental Art - Aalto University School of Art and Design (Helsinki) a BA in Photography and a Diploma in Art in Public Space. Laala has worked internationally and across institutions, serving as Curatorial Assistant at Creative Time (US) for Dreamland Artist Club II, in the VIP Department at Frieze London, and Tate Modern in the Members Lounge. In Morocco, she managed Gallery Re and was International Relations Manager at Matisse Gallery, developing cross-cultural collaborations supporting contemporary Moroccan artists. Her work has been presented with the Helsinki Art Museum, Design Museum Helsinki, Kiasma, Tate Britain, South London Gallery, and the V&A Museum. Laala co-founded the Catalysti Association for Transcultural Artists (FI) and Holding Time and Space (AUS), and has served as Cultural Activator at Ptarmigan (FI/EST) and Youth Program Coordinator at Helsinki Art Museum. She has created projects in Morocco, Finland, Australia, Jordan, Macedonia, the UK, and the U.S., with support from Taike, Kone Foundation, and several Melbourne councils. |
Education
2010-2015 Masters in Environmental Art, Aalto School of Art, Design and Architecture Helsinki, FI
2008 Cultural Management workshop, (Melopee #5), Amuni, France
2006 Gallery Education Training Course, Tate Modern, London, UK
2003-2004 Diploma of Art in Public Space, RMIT, Melbourne, AUS
1998-00 Bachelor of Arts (Photography), Charles Sturt University, Albury, AUS
Exhibitions & Projects (Selected)
2025 Dua, Performative Dinner for the Senses, Geelong Arts Centre, AUS
2025 Reflections, Curated Screening & Event, Woods Street Arts Space, AUS
2024 OUTSIDE/IN, Group Exhibition, The Annex, AUS
2023 ROOTS IN A MIRACLE, Video Installation, Dear Agnes, Melbourne, AUS
2019 ANA, MINÄ, ME, Limited Edition Bags, Museum of African Contemporary Art, MAROC
2018–2019 – WOMEN’S RIGHTS – RECLAIM THE NIGHT, Workshops & Public Intervention, Geelong, AUS
2015–2012 – OUR CUISINE = OUR STORIES & TASTE EXCHANGE, Community Workshops & Public Interventions, Helsinki, FI
2014 – 3TENI L’KHOBZ (Give Me the Bread), Public Space Project, KULTE Gallery & Editions, Rabat, MAROC
2006–2015 – CALLIGRAFFITI, Collaborative Workshops & Installations, Helsinki, Tate Britain (UK), XIV Biennale of Young Artists (MACEDONIA)
2013-2010 Selected performances: IF I WERE… (Suomenlinna, FI), LIVE FROM HELSINKI SLUMS (Mason Gross Galleries, USA), FATHER, FATHER, FATHER (V&A Museum, UK; 30th Sao Paulo Biennale, BR)
Professional & Education Experience (Selected)
2013–2015 | Co-founder / Website Administrator – Catalysti, Finland
Co-developed a digital platform managing content, public communications, and promoting events and opportunities.
2011–2012 | Youth Programme Coordinator – Helsinki Art Museum, Finland
Designed and implemented education programs combining creative practice, learning, and exhibition outcomes.
2008–2012 | Director – Shush, Australia & Finland
Produced temporary art events in non-traditional spaces. Managed curatorial direction, logistics, and collaborations.
2007–2008 | Assistant Curator & Producer – Creative Time, New York, USA
Supported large-scale public art projects at Coney Island coordinating artist logistics and community engagement.
2005–2007 | Lead Artist & Workshop Presenter – Tate Britain, South London Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery & V&A Museum, London, UK
Facilitated workshops on identity and cultural heritage through creative participation and museum collections.
Grants & Funding
2025 Ignition Grant, Geelong Arts Centre, AUS
2025 Creative Programming Grant, Woods Street Arts Space, Hobsons Bay City Council, AUS
2024 Creative Development Grant, Wyndham City Council, AUS
2024 New Work Grant, ‘Outside/In’ Exhibition, Wyndham City Council, AUS
2022-2021 New Work Grants, Hobsons Bay & City of Greater Geelong, AUS
2015-2012 Project Grants, Arts Promotion Centre Finland & Kone Foundation
Residencies
2024 Neighbourhood Lab, Platform Arts, Geelong, AUS
2014 New National Museum, Gullö, FI
2010-2009 Platform (Vaasa, FI); Art Omi, NY, USA
2008 Terre Sans Frontières – Fusion Rebuild, Zagora, MAROC; Triangle Arts Trust/Shatana Workshop, Jordan
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
2024-Present Holding Time & Space, Artist Collective
2012-15 CATALYSTI OY – Transcultural Artist Association. Founding Member & Treasurer
2011-14 PTARMIGAN OY Cultural Activator of Situations/ Secretary
Current Membership MUU Artist Association
Awards
2020 No Contest Art Prize Recipient, Aphids, AUS
2015 Helsinki City, Artist Award, FI
2004 Australia’s 50 most uncollectable Artists (No 30), NUCA Network
Upcoming Projects
2025 Mapping the Unseen - Site Responsive Collaboration, Marrakech, MAROC
2026 Reflections - Screening & Community Event, American Arts Centre, MAROC
2010-2015 Masters in Environmental Art, Aalto School of Art, Design and Architecture Helsinki, FI
2008 Cultural Management workshop, (Melopee #5), Amuni, France
2006 Gallery Education Training Course, Tate Modern, London, UK
2003-2004 Diploma of Art in Public Space, RMIT, Melbourne, AUS
1998-00 Bachelor of Arts (Photography), Charles Sturt University, Albury, AUS
Exhibitions & Projects (Selected)
2025 Dua, Performative Dinner for the Senses, Geelong Arts Centre, AUS
2025 Reflections, Curated Screening & Event, Woods Street Arts Space, AUS
2024 OUTSIDE/IN, Group Exhibition, The Annex, AUS
2023 ROOTS IN A MIRACLE, Video Installation, Dear Agnes, Melbourne, AUS
2019 ANA, MINÄ, ME, Limited Edition Bags, Museum of African Contemporary Art, MAROC
2018–2019 – WOMEN’S RIGHTS – RECLAIM THE NIGHT, Workshops & Public Intervention, Geelong, AUS
2015–2012 – OUR CUISINE = OUR STORIES & TASTE EXCHANGE, Community Workshops & Public Interventions, Helsinki, FI
2014 – 3TENI L’KHOBZ (Give Me the Bread), Public Space Project, KULTE Gallery & Editions, Rabat, MAROC
2006–2015 – CALLIGRAFFITI, Collaborative Workshops & Installations, Helsinki, Tate Britain (UK), XIV Biennale of Young Artists (MACEDONIA)
2013-2010 Selected performances: IF I WERE… (Suomenlinna, FI), LIVE FROM HELSINKI SLUMS (Mason Gross Galleries, USA), FATHER, FATHER, FATHER (V&A Museum, UK; 30th Sao Paulo Biennale, BR)
Professional & Education Experience (Selected)
2013–2015 | Co-founder / Website Administrator – Catalysti, Finland
Co-developed a digital platform managing content, public communications, and promoting events and opportunities.
2011–2012 | Youth Programme Coordinator – Helsinki Art Museum, Finland
Designed and implemented education programs combining creative practice, learning, and exhibition outcomes.
2008–2012 | Director – Shush, Australia & Finland
Produced temporary art events in non-traditional spaces. Managed curatorial direction, logistics, and collaborations.
2007–2008 | Assistant Curator & Producer – Creative Time, New York, USA
Supported large-scale public art projects at Coney Island coordinating artist logistics and community engagement.
2005–2007 | Lead Artist & Workshop Presenter – Tate Britain, South London Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery & V&A Museum, London, UK
Facilitated workshops on identity and cultural heritage through creative participation and museum collections.
Grants & Funding
2025 Ignition Grant, Geelong Arts Centre, AUS
2025 Creative Programming Grant, Woods Street Arts Space, Hobsons Bay City Council, AUS
2024 Creative Development Grant, Wyndham City Council, AUS
2024 New Work Grant, ‘Outside/In’ Exhibition, Wyndham City Council, AUS
2022-2021 New Work Grants, Hobsons Bay & City of Greater Geelong, AUS
2015-2012 Project Grants, Arts Promotion Centre Finland & Kone Foundation
Residencies
2024 Neighbourhood Lab, Platform Arts, Geelong, AUS
2014 New National Museum, Gullö, FI
2010-2009 Platform (Vaasa, FI); Art Omi, NY, USA
2008 Terre Sans Frontières – Fusion Rebuild, Zagora, MAROC; Triangle Arts Trust/Shatana Workshop, Jordan
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
2024-Present Holding Time & Space, Artist Collective
2012-15 CATALYSTI OY – Transcultural Artist Association. Founding Member & Treasurer
2011-14 PTARMIGAN OY Cultural Activator of Situations/ Secretary
Current Membership MUU Artist Association
Awards
2020 No Contest Art Prize Recipient, Aphids, AUS
2015 Helsinki City, Artist Award, FI
2004 Australia’s 50 most uncollectable Artists (No 30), NUCA Network
Upcoming Projects
2025 Mapping the Unseen - Site Responsive Collaboration, Marrakech, MAROC
2026 Reflections - Screening & Community Event, American Arts Centre, MAROC