Local artist Leia Darla Davies had a connection with art from a very early age and is now looking to collaborate with other creatives in the local area as part of a new artistic hub she is launching
Born and bred in East London, my journey as an artist mirrors the vibrant community around me. I have always found inspiration in local landmarks, particularly Hollow Ponds, which often features in my paintings and animations. These familiar settings and landscapes serve as both a backdrop and a foundation for my creative exploration.
Alongside my practice as an artist, I am an events creative, workshop provider and the founder of ArtEast, a community interest organisation that provides a platform for artists to offer creative workshops, exhibitions and events to the community. ArtEast is rooted in the belief that creativity should be accessible to everyone, promoting collaboration, education and engagement through artistic expression.
My connection with art began at an early age. My mother, Ashley Davies, an abstract artist, had me while studying at the Royal Academy. From as early as I could hold a paintbrush, I would paint beside her in a playpen – a beginning that, she jokes, makes me the youngest unofficial attendee of the Royal Academy! This early exposure to art ignited a lifelong passion, giving me an outlet for self-expression and a means to escape into other worlds through my creativity. I later went on to study at Central Saint Martins, UAL, where I discovered art was so much more about business and art-fashion than it was skill or passion than I had ever realised – a moment of disillusion all artists undergo. I became fascinated with human evolution, consumerism and global resources, which are still common motifs in my work.
My figurative works, such as Head in the Clouds (above right) and What Lies Beneath (above left) exemplify my focus on sociopolitical themes and psychological concepts.
My recent solo exhibition at Wanstead Works underpinned these ideas and the essence of ArtEast – bringing creatives together to network, interact with immersive art and experience performance-infused exhibitions. This was just a glimpse into what I aim to bring to my new artistic hub, a space dedicated to exhibitions, workshops, community-led initiatives and immersive events. I will be announcing more details about the space soon and am actively looking for local talent to showcase and collaborate with. Watch this space.
For information on creative opportunities and workshops, visit art-east.co.uk or email leiadarla@outlook.com
