About Leigh Bridges
Canadian artist Leigh Bridges lives and works in Winnipeg and holds a Master’s degree in Fine Art from the University of Victoria. She has a professional practice which spans the fields of art and graphic design, having an extensive background as a print designer for corporate and non-profit clients. Bridges was based in Berlin from 2005 to 2007. While in Germany, her exploration of collage vis a vis painting developed in dialogue with the “Leipzig School”, with a particular emphasis on aspects of the sublime in landscape depictions. Bridges' most recent work both expands and complicates these established directions, intersecting modernist forms, schema for do-it-yourself sustainable technology, and landscape.
Leigh Bridges has exhibited across Canada, in the United States and overseas, most recently in Toronto, Montreal, Berlin, Vancouver, Melbourne, Seattle and Skien, Norway. Her work is part of several private and corporate collections, including Bank of Montreal, Toronto Dominion Bank, and Global Affairs Canada. Bridges holds a position of Assistant Professor of Art and Design at the University of Manitoba. She is represented by Paul Petro Contemporary in Toronto.
Statement
“Atmospheric Resonance”, in addition to referring to the optical experience of luminous colour, is a natural terrestrial electromagnetic phenomenon driven by fluctuations in global lightning storm activity. Also called “Schumann Waves”, this vibration is believed by some to have an effect on human circadian rhythm, binding the earth’s cycles with those of the body.
Following from past work inspired by notions of the sublime–and considerations of the nature/culture dialectic associated with that term–this new body of work explores the intersection of modernist form, landscape, and backyard do-it-yourself technology. In a series of pared down paintings depicting provisional architecture and geometric form, imperfect yet functioning structures connote a practical, intimate and evolving relationship between user and environment. Complementing the paintings are sculptural forms based on a functioning flat packed and folded cook stove design utilizing radiant colour and tone to generate "heat", instead of the prescribed reflective foil. Inspired by systems that harness sun, wind and water, the poetic potential to represent connection with natural cycles in our everyday life is investigated.
CV Leigh Bridges
Solo Exhibitions
2016
Atmospheric Resonance, Paul Petro, Toronto Canada
2013
Temperature Inversion, Paul Petro, Toronto Canada
2009
Layabout, Atelierhof Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
2008
Outpost, Paul Petro, Toronto, Canada
2007
Hinterland, Bjornson Kajiwara Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
2007
Landscape People, Leif Magne Tangens Gallery, Skien, Norway
Curated by Jan Christensen
2005
Roughing It, Solo show, Main Gallery, University of Victoria, Canada
Selected Group Exhibitions
2017
The Hidden The Mysteries, Arebyte Gallery, London England
2015
Nerd Time, School of Art Gallery, Winnipeg
2013
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2012
Lieux Échafaudé, Galerie Simon Blais, Montreal
Group Exhibition, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2011
International Contemporary Art Fair, Vancouver
with Deluge Contemporary Art
7th Annual C Magazine Benefit Auction, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art,
(MOCCA), Toronto, Canada
2010
Making Scenes, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
6th Annual C Magazine Benefit Auction, Redbull Projects, Toronto
2009
Spring Fling 5 C Magazine Fundraiser, Birch Libralto Gallery, Toronto
Faculty Show, Concourse Gallery, Vancouver
2008
F**k the Little Man, National Museum, Berlin Germany
North South East West, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
Toronto Art Fair with Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
Spring Fling 4 C Magazine Fundraiser, Birch Libralto Gallery, Toronto
2007
Somewhere Else Peter Wilde Gallery, Berlin
Toronto Art Fair with Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
Christmas Spice, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
Rapt, Contemporary Art Gallery (CAG) Fundraiser, Vancouver
Spring Fling 3, C Magazine Fundraiser, Georgia Scherman Projects, Toronto
Streams, torrents, lakes...and sunsets, for example, PROGRAM Gallery, Berlin
Curated by Carson Chan
2006
Toronto Art Fair with Bjornson Kajiwara Gallery. Toronto
Winter Celebration. Bjornson Kajiwara Gallery. Vancouver
Selecta 2006, WestSpace, Melbourne, Australia
False Start. AEDC Project Space, Berlin
2005
Plus+ Two person show, Bjornson Kajiwara Gallery, Vancouver
On Climate and Metabolism Two person show, Production Studio Exhibitions
Vancouver Curated by Lucy Pullen
2004
Institutionalized Rogue Art Gallery, Victoria
Please Everyone SOIL Art Gallery, Seattle, Washington
Hurry Slowly, OR Gallery, Vancouver
Education
2005
Masters of Fine Arts Degree, University of Victoria
2002
Professional Development, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design
1994
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, University of Alberta
Collections
Global Affairs Canada
Toronto Dominion Bank
Bank of Montreal
Jane Irwin and Ross Hill
HBBH Architects
Bibliography
Centerspread Project, Vancouver Review Magazine, Vancouver Canada,
January 2009
Carte Blanche Vol. 2 Painting, Magenta Foundation, November 2008
Goddard, Peter. What’s On: Critics Choice. Toronto Star. April 10, 2008
Withey, Elisabeth. Hot Times in the Old Town of Berlin, Edmonton Journal,
June 8 2008, Edmonton Canada
Rapt: Contemporary Art Gallery Fundraiser, Catalogue
Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver BC, 2007
Hinterland, Preview Magazine, Review, Vancouver Canada, Sept. 2007
Down, Chris. Saturate. Toronto, Canada, May 2006.
Selecta 2006, Westspace Artist Run, Sydney Australia, Aug. 2006
Hermant, Sydney. May d’Or (Goin’ Solo) Catalogue, Mar.2006
Pullen, Lucy. On Climate and Metabolism, Production Studios
Essay Catalogue, Vancouver Canada, May 07, 2004
Welch, Wendy. Five Wonders, Monday Magazine, May 14, 2004
Massecar, Sarah. Please Everybody, Essay Catalogue, SOIL Gallery, Seattle USA, May 2004
Awards
2015
Creative Works Grant, University of Manitoba
2004-2005
UVic Graduate Fellowship, University of Victoria
2005
Travel Grant, University of Victoria
2003-2004
UVic Graduate Fellowship. University of Victoria
2004
Travel Grant, University of Victoria
Professional Activities
2014-present
University of Manitoba—Associate Professor
Graphic Design and Art
2011-2014
University of Manitoba—Sessional Instructor
Drawing, Visual Language
2008-2010
Emily Carr University—Sessional Instructor, Senior Level Studio,
Drawing Fundamentals, Painting Fundamentals etc.
Volunteer Activities
2004-Present
Index Project Online. www.indexproject.com
Online gallery/presentation space
2005
Production Studio Exhibitions. Vancouver, Canada
2003
Contemporary Art Gallery (CAG) Vancouver Canada
ArtropolisVancouver Canada