ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Leah Hicks, born-1978 "abstract, acrylic and multimedia canvases celebrate the hard-won victory the artist has achieved since a devastating car accident. Catastrophe is a life-changing event, and Hicks has had to remodel herself."

Art is my constant partner, who can be intense and full of passion. In High School, my art teacher introduced me to painting and clay. I began showing paintings and clay sculptures in art exhibits. At Algonquin College, I learned about the elements of art in the Graphic Design program. In St. Lawrence College I refined my Life Drawing skills and took other painting classes.

In 2005 a catastrophic car accident turned my passion for art into my salvation. Traumatic injuries to all four lobes of my brain left me unable to Speak Clearly, suffered from Double Vision and Functional Limb Weakness. My amazing rehab team encouraged me not to give up on my passion. Over many years I have renewed myself. I redeveloped basic human skills to challenge the plasticity of my brain. I learned to paint with my left hand instead of my previously dominant right hand.

Was invited to feature my work in the print and digital advertorial art showcase in British Vogue Magazine’s January issue, with a campaign running across the February and March issues - 2021. In 2011 I was invited to display my art in La Biennale Internazionale Dell'Arte Contemporanea in Florence, Italy. In March 2012 I received an Honorable Mention in the Marianne Van Silfhout Art Gallery at St. Lawrence College, for the painting ‘Shield’.

Showcased my art in September 2019 in Chicago IL, USA for the Art Expo. In 2018 I exhibited my art in the Signatures Show in Ottawa. In 2016 I was accepted into the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition and had my work shown for promotional purposes. and was juried into the Ottawa Art Expo for three years. Was at Ottawa’s La Petite Mort Gallery and Montreal's Le Hang Art for one year. I have shown my work in many outdoor and indoor shows.

I am currently displaying my work at Arta Gallery in Toronto’s Distillery District, Studio 22 in Kingston, LeHang Art Gallery in Montreal, Santini Gallery in Ottawa, and O'Conner Gallery in Gananoque. Have had 2 Solo Exhibitions in Old Montreal at LeHang Art. Also, I have had my work mentioned in numerous documents and literature.

I learned a great deal about the world of art during the six years of owning an art gallery. For the past four years, I have served as President of The Arts and Culture Council for Smiths Falls and District in Ontario. Over the years I have donated paintings to various Hospitals, Charities, and Organizations to help raise funds. I have also taught art classes offering certificates in various mediums for nineteen years.

My work is represented and seen throughout North America. The artwork has been heavily collected by the Federal Government of Canada as well as held in many private collections and many countries.

‘Inspiring the mind, exploring the depths of the subconscious landscape’