Leigh Eldred Art Collections

Mixed Media Sculpture

My various mixed media sculptures are comprised of elements such as metal, paper, encaustic, wood, stone, wood, leather, fabric, clay, wire, glass, sand, resin, and anything else I can find to assemble or create with. My fascination with the influence that faith, culture, and politics has on inner consciousness, has led to an exploration of motivation and its ripple effect which connects the whole of civilization. I examine the notion that humanity subconsciously assimilates all-encompassing patterns in an increasingly intricate system, which serves to distract attention from individual declared purpose by elevating the immaterial. A primary intention of my work is to impart the conception that reflexive primitive responses may be offset by higher reasoning and determination of will, that self-examination together with compassion may be an effective mechanism for principled change. I utilize a variety of mediums in my sculpture, paintings, drawings, and photography while maintaining a consistent core focus on allegory. Material objects, or their depictions, become symbols to reflect the inner nature of humankind, whereas works that initially appear abstract are inspired interpretations of afterlife journeys. My collective body of work employs either an intense chromatic kaleidoscope or a monochromatic chiaroscuro, representing the clash between good and evil. The combined elements present the deliberation on inner consciousness that informs my complete body of work. Concentration on the ideas within my art assuredly stems from my own belief system, just as every facet of my life is transfigured by my creed. I am continually inspired by that which Dante called the art of God, nature, by the works individuals create to reflect it, and by the ideas formed in attempting to understand creation. It is with that faith, and in that work, that I am able to find my center. I find that sight is the premier sense to touch ones soul, and that art has the profound capability to provoke emotion. In this way, visual art is a proficient instrument with which to elicit the revision of paradigms. Moving forward, I endeavor to responsibly avail myself of arts capacity to kindle mindfulness while defining my own vision of existence.