See and be seen

Ila Mercer is primarily a figurative and portrait painter whose work explores moments of connection. While people are at the centre of her practice, animals also feature prominently, reflecting the relationships that exist between humans, animals, and the natural world. Her subjects are often captured in quiet, intimate moments. Some meet the viewer’s gaze directly, while others appear absorbed in thought or reflection. Yet they are rarely passive. Each figure is engaged in a relationship of some kind, whether with themselves, another person, an animal, or the viewer standing before the work.