Artist Talk: Laylah Amatullah Barrayn

Welcome to the Artist Talk with Laylah Amatullah Barrayn! Join us on Thu September 25 2025 at 6:00 PM for an evening filled with creativity and inspiration. This event will take place at Shine Portrait Studio @Express Newark, where you'll have the chance to hear directly from the talented artist herself. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to gain insight into Laylah's artistic process and vision. See you there!

This Artist Talk is part of the Visting Artist series hosted by Rutgers University-Newark's Fine Art Program, Department of Arts, Culture and Media, (ACM) and SHINE Portrait Studio @ Express Newark. The Visiting Artist series connects students, staff, faculty, and the greater Newark community in the spirit of co-learning and co-creation, with insight into contemporary art practices, the creative process, and the evolving art landscape.

Laylah is an award-winning documentary and portrait photographer, writer, and curator in New York City. She is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, where her photography work on a 2019 story was nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy. She has also been published in Vogue, National Geographic, The Washington Post, VOX, NPR, BBC, The Nation, Le Monde, and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications.

Her expertise in narratives of the African diaspora, specifically around tradition, social justice, and the experiences of womanhood, has allowed her to create compelling exhibitions exploring diverse themes and narratives.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Shine Portrait Studio @Express Newark, 54 Halsey Street, Newark, United States