Meet the artist: Leah Davis

We are very excited to announce our new artist in residence, the amazing young painter Leah Davis. Leah is showing an amazing talent and has already been part of the Creative Collective at the Duncairn, bringing her sketching skills to the table and inspiring other artists and musicians during an amazing series of creative weekends at the Duncairn. We can see a bright future for her and we couldn’t wait to know more about her, so we had a little chat that we’re sharing with you.

Tell us how you ended up at the Duncairn?

In 2021 I graduated from Ulster University, with a degree in Fine Art. As a new Resident of North Belfast, I had reached out to the Duncairn and they welcomed me with open arms. Ray and Debbie play the part on welcoming me onboard at the Duncairn, in offering me a residency there in 2021 after working alongside for a while. I’ve since been settling and working with the team as well as an independent Artist.

How did you become an artist?

Since a young age I was always very creative, it had always been a hobby of mine until I furthered my skills and understanding when I attended school. This really kicked off when I had joined St Louise’s Comprehensive College, Studying Art for GCSE and Alevel with help from a great teacher Mairead Robb and other staff. I knew I wanted to study Fine Art and in 2018 I began my journey at Ulster University, Belfast School of Art, where I then graduated in 2021. Art has always been a part of me and who I am for as long as I can remember.

What kind of paintings do you do?

My practice explores the essence of people, I believe that there is no limit to how we manifest our inner being in time and space. I see a world of character in something as complex as body language, gesture and interactions, in the most simplistic of ways. The relationship with the figure and the external space is what I try to demonstrate in my work. My paintings intend to reflect great intimacy and vulnerability through the figure and how it Correlates with the negative spaces and exposed areas in the painting. As a painter, oil is my most common medium to use, my drawing work also plays a crucial part to my paintings and sometimes my own photography work.

 Where do you get your inspiration from?

By evoking traditional and contemporary approaches in my work, I combine both to create an interesting result when it comes to my finalised paintings. My inspiration comes from my surroundings and my inner emotion,  which feeds into my work in ways I find myself lose control and let my mind and heart take over.

What would you say to anyone who would like to start painting but lacks confidence?

Everyone can paint, let it be an expansion and expression of you. Have fun with it and experiment! As Van Gogh said; “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

You can follow Leah’s amazing work on Instagram and on her Facebook page Leah Davis Art .

For commissions, you can get in touch with Leah at: leahd18 [at] icloud.com