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ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Leasha Craig is a contemporary sculptor who works and lives on the NSW Central Tablelands, her professional practice encompasses both 3D and 2D disciplines. Her passion for art developed at the age of 8 when she won a colouring competition at school, from that time on Leasha used her artwork as a form of expression. It was not until later in life that Leasha had the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a professional artist.
Leasha completed Open Foundation as a mature aged student in 2005, this enabled her to enroll at the University of Newcastle where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours Degree in 2012. Her experience at university, gave Leasha the opportunity to explore all the disciplines both conceptually and technically and indeed fueled her desire to sculpt.
Leasha is an extremely talented and diverse artist, she is an accomplished abstract and figurative sculptor proficiently working in many mediums and techniques. Resulting in stunningly resolved sculptures that are unique and innovative, her work denotes validity in both concept and form. Leasha is passionate about her work and she acknowledges her sculptures are personal and intimate, emulating the special bond which is formed when creating a sculptural piece.
Within her practice Leasha is constantly exploring and experimenting with new mediums, exposing the natural beauty of timber and stone and how these natural mediums and their textures complement man-made materials and each other.
Conceptually Leasha’s artwork explores human conditioning and contemporary issues within our society. Leasha's abstract work is very organic inspired by the human form and nature, the ocean's beauty of form, movement and sense of freedom it represents as we move through it and sail over it. Her work invites the audience to explore their own emotions and thoughts encouraging the viewer to evolve their own personal definition of the artwork. The aesthetic flowing forms and sense of movement in her work beckons the audience to reach out and connect with the piece.
Leasha has achieved numerous successes since graduating from university; successfully hanging several solo exhibitions, participating in numerous group exhibitions and art prizes throughout Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and both the North and South Coast of NSW, recipient of a range of awards including the Central Coast Australia Day Awards 2018, Community Service and Activity Award. Leasha is also an accomplished curator, Australian Spirit project manager, Co-founder of Art Studios Co-operative a not for profit artist co-operative located at Bay Gallery Ettalong Beach and actively participates in community projects that enhance the cultural development of the Central Coast.
Leasha is an exhibiting member of the Australian Sculpture Society, the Australian Society of Marine Artist and the Royal Art Society. Her work graces the homes and gardens of private collectors and public sites throughout Australia, United Kingdom and Singapore. 2019 Leasha unveiled Brothers in Arms, a monumental bronze sculpture, Terrigal Beach Foreshore and the Eternal Flame a highly polished stainless steel flame enhanced by lighting, Toukley RSL Cenotaph and in 2021 installed Smooth Sailing which adorns the front awning of the Bay Galllery, Ettalong Beach.
“I believe that one of the roles of contemporary artists is to engage the audience through their work opening up a visual communication in an effort to inspire social change, personal growth and an understanding of our individual perspectives”.
Leasha completed Open Foundation as a mature aged student in 2005, this enabled her to enroll at the University of Newcastle where she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours Degree in 2012. Her experience at university, gave Leasha the opportunity to explore all the disciplines both conceptually and technically and indeed fueled her desire to sculpt.
Leasha is an extremely talented and diverse artist, she is an accomplished abstract and figurative sculptor proficiently working in many mediums and techniques. Resulting in stunningly resolved sculptures that are unique and innovative, her work denotes validity in both concept and form. Leasha is passionate about her work and she acknowledges her sculptures are personal and intimate, emulating the special bond which is formed when creating a sculptural piece.
Within her practice Leasha is constantly exploring and experimenting with new mediums, exposing the natural beauty of timber and stone and how these natural mediums and their textures complement man-made materials and each other.
Conceptually Leasha’s artwork explores human conditioning and contemporary issues within our society. Leasha's abstract work is very organic inspired by the human form and nature, the ocean's beauty of form, movement and sense of freedom it represents as we move through it and sail over it. Her work invites the audience to explore their own emotions and thoughts encouraging the viewer to evolve their own personal definition of the artwork. The aesthetic flowing forms and sense of movement in her work beckons the audience to reach out and connect with the piece.
Leasha has achieved numerous successes since graduating from university; successfully hanging several solo exhibitions, participating in numerous group exhibitions and art prizes throughout Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and both the North and South Coast of NSW, recipient of a range of awards including the Central Coast Australia Day Awards 2018, Community Service and Activity Award. Leasha is also an accomplished curator, Australian Spirit project manager, Co-founder of Art Studios Co-operative a not for profit artist co-operative located at Bay Gallery Ettalong Beach and actively participates in community projects that enhance the cultural development of the Central Coast.
Leasha is an exhibiting member of the Australian Sculpture Society, the Australian Society of Marine Artist and the Royal Art Society. Her work graces the homes and gardens of private collectors and public sites throughout Australia, United Kingdom and Singapore. 2019 Leasha unveiled Brothers in Arms, a monumental bronze sculpture, Terrigal Beach Foreshore and the Eternal Flame a highly polished stainless steel flame enhanced by lighting, Toukley RSL Cenotaph and in 2021 installed Smooth Sailing which adorns the front awning of the Bay Galllery, Ettalong Beach.
“I believe that one of the roles of contemporary artists is to engage the audience through their work opening up a visual communication in an effort to inspire social change, personal growth and an understanding of our individual perspectives”.
Contact Leasha
Email: artistleashacraig@outlook.com
Email: artistleashacraig@outlook.com