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About & CV
✺ About & CV
✺
About & CV
✺ About & CV
© Photo by Gwenael Akira Helmsdal Carré, 2025 My name is Laila Mote and I’m a visual artist, graphic designer and architect born and raised in the Faroe Islands with roots from Kenya.
My artworks offer an insight into the experiences of growing up in a predominantly white society as a woman of colour in a Faroese context. In addition to my personal themes, I also engage with broader and systemic social issues.
As an architect, visual artist, woman and minority (POC), I understand the vital role that creatives play in society. It’s my belief that artists should explore and deconstruct social constructs, challenge the status quo, question power dynamics, and inspire meaningful change.
Noticing similarities in my different professions, I weave these shared values and concerns into all aspects of my work. My goal is to challenge the dominant narrative and create a space where marginalized voices can be heard.
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Since graduating a master’s degree in architecture from The Royal Academy in Copenhagen (2022), I’ve been working within the fields of visual arts, graphic and architectural design with clients in The Faroe Islands, Greenland, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark and Gambia.
© Photo by Filip Gielda, 2024Education
Master of Architecture, Cand.Arch.
Royal Danish Academy, Architecture
Institute of Spatial Design
2020 - 2022
Bachelor of Architecture, BArch
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture
Institute of Architecture & Design
2017 - 2020
Selected Exhibitions & Performances
Ólavsøkuframsýningin 2024 // (sprutt)
National Gallery of The Faroe Islands, Tórshavn
Group-exhibition
2024
HOTspot Rigsfællesskabet
Nørrebro Bibliotek, Copenhagen
Hybrid Theatre Exhibition
—> teatergrad.dk
2024 - 2025
Tonik
Silo, Tórshavn
Group-exhibition
—> tonik.fo
2024
Retail Store: Sales-Showcase
Niels Finsensgøta 11, Tórshavn
Solo-exhibition
2023
Exoplanet
Gallarí Williamsstova, Tórshavn
Duo-exhibition w. Mia H. Smith
2023
Heysahorn
G! Festival, Syðrugøta
Group-performance
2023
Tonik
Silo, Tórshavn
Group exhibition
—> tonik.fo
2023
Mítt sanna andlit/Unmasked
Kvinnudagur/Womens Day in Mentanarhúsið (Frú Formaður), Fuglafjørður
Solo-exhibition
2023
No Title
Sýsluskrivstovan, Vestmanna
Duo-exhibition w. Gyðja Hjalmarsdóttir
2022
Likam & landslag
Gallarí Williamsstova, Tórshavn
Duo-exhibition w. Silja Gotved
2022
Master Thesis Project Exhibition
Det Kongelige Akademi, København
Group-exhibition
2022
Normar
Sirkus Føroyar, Tórshavn
Duo-exhibition w. Mia H. Smith
2017
Talks & Lectures
Talgildur kreativitetur/Digital Creativity
Perlan, Tórshavn
Posta, NFT stamps release event
2023
Creating Creatures
Norðurlandahúsið/Nordic House, Tórshavn
Confronting Coloniality Seminar
2023
Press
(Upcoming) Abhivyakti - Magazine Essay
Title and material TBA
To be released in 2025
Frímælt, Frihedsbrevet.fo - Podcast Guest
Listen here >>> Frihedsbrevet.fo or Spotify
2024
Periskop - Forum for Kunsthistorisk Debat - Magazine Essay
”Creating Creatures // At skapa verur“
Read English version here >>> ENGLISH
Read Faroese version here >>> FAROESE
2024
Frihedsbrevet, Frí Mentan
”Mála Býin Reyðan”
Read here >>> here
2024
Sosialurin, Ólavsøkan 2024 - Newspaper Interview
“Ein endurspegling av diskriminatión og kúgan”
Read online here >>> here
2024
FM1, Ólavsøkusendingin - Live Radio Interview
2024
KVF, Ólavsøkusending - Radio Interview
Samrøða um (sprutt) // Ólavsøkuframsýningina
2024
Samhugi við Palestina - Zine Essay + Visuals
”Olives, Poppies, Watermelons & Oranges” - Artwork Series
2024
Samværi - Radio-Program About Art
”At byggja navn upp”
Listen >>> here
2024
Sosialurin - Front Page Newspaper Interview
“Listin skal skapa samrøður um rasismu”
Read >>> here
2023
KVF - Live Broadcasted Exhibition
”Frú Formaður”, Womens Day Event
Watch it >>> here
2023
KVF, Vikuskiftissendingin - Radio Interview
Radio interview about my visual art and new webshop
Listen >>> here. For english translation >>> here
2022
KVF, Summarmorgun - Radio Interview
Radio interview about the exhibition “Normar” with artist Mia H Smith
Listen >>> here
2017
Other Work Experience
Visual artist, graphic designer & architect
LAILA MOTE —> see selected work and clients here
Self-employed
2022 -
Spatial Designer
Afro Urban Store, Malmø
2023
Architectural intern
KHR Architecture, Copenhagen
2020
Architect
Freelance
2019
Event manager & customer service
TUTL records, Tórshavn
2011-2017
Drama teacher
Dramaverkstaðið, Tórshavn
2011-2013
IT
AutoCAD
Rhinoceros 3D
SketchUp
Adobe Indesign
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Media Encoder
Adobe Firefly
Adobe Dimension
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Acrobat
Languages
Faroese, native
Danish, fluent
English, fluent
Swedish, intermediate
Norwegian, intermediate
Skills
Lasercutting
Woodwork
Analog drawing & Technical Drawing
Graphic Design & Layout
Modelwork in Cardboard, Plaster & Concrete
Large-Format Printing
Fine Art Printing
Digital & Analog Illustrations
Animation
CNC milling
© Photo by Per Morten Abrahamsen // Teatergrad, 2024