John Leahy:

John Leahy

Artist’s Statement:

My work is based on deep curiosity about the subconscious, and the pursuit of states of creative flow that provide access to that domain. I use water-based paints, monoprinting, and drawing media to build layered dreamscapes to explore metaphysical and psychological aspects of the self. Over the years, I’ve developed a visual vocabulary that reflects a synthesis of techniques which help me to bridge figuration and abstraction while inviting the viewer into purposely ambiguous space. The tenuous relationship between figure and ground is analogous to the liminal spaces of the dreaming mind.

Influenced by the Surrealists, Abstract Expressionists, and the Northwest School, among others I use spatial juxtapositions and serial compositions to explore archetypes, identity, and the shadow aspects of the self beyond ego. My figures are intentionally fluid, reflecting gender as a continuum of Jungian Anima and Animus that probe psychological identity as complex and evolving. I create fields of color and texture that bifurcate in patterns unique to my work, and metaphorical to the act of creation. Through this, I aim to contribute to a broader conversation about the authentic self, longing, and the shared vulnerability of human experience. Playful ambiguity is central to my process, resisting a fixed meaning and instead encouraging an intuitive, emotionally resonant engagement for the viewer.

I’ve dedicated myself to developing this body of work through years of intentional practice and experimentation. My goal is to connect with audience through a visual language that transcends the literal and speaks to something ephemeral as a part of the collective unconscious.