Ila Mercer is an Australian artist working predominantly in oils, with a particular interest in figurative and portrait painting. Her artistic practice has developed through years of painting, independent exploration and ongoing classes at Splashout Art Studios. Her work explores connection, intimacy and the quiet relationships that exist between people, animals and the natural world.
Her paintings capture moments of stillness, contemplation and human experience. Her subjects are often engaged in a relationship of some kind, whether with another person, an animal, their surroundings, themselves or the viewer. Through colour, light and composition, Ila creates paintings that feel both personal and familiar, inviting the viewer to pause and find their own connection with the subject.
In 2026, Ila presented her solo exhibition, I See You, as part of the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival. The exhibition received a strong response from collectors, with multiple works sold. Ila has also exhibited with Gallery M, Splashout Art Studios and the Blackwood Rotary Art Show. Her painting Beach Baby received a Highly commended award at the 2024 Blackwood Rotary Art Show.