Wendi Leigh

Wendi Leigh's art diversifies as it focuses on a distinctive style she created and titled O.D.O.R.I - Overt distortion of real imagery. It crosses between reality and abstraction and uses shapes and colours to describe movement, light and shade and illusion. She finds this creative tool a means for interpreting contemporary experiences which will become part of life's history.​

QUALIFICATIONS

TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, National Training Masters Kiama | 2019

WWCC Children Check Certificate WWC1898843E | 2019

Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction, Wollongong University | 2008

Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts, Forster TAFE | 2005

Diploma of Fine Arts, Kempsey TAFE | 2003

Certificate IV in Graphic Design, Port Maquarie TAFE | 2001

Business and Catering Certificate, Meadowbank TAFE | 1989

Diploma of Colour and Design - Fashion- Shilitto College Sydney | 1989

EXHIBITIONS

“Vases & Tables” Group Exhibition, Aspire Gallery, Paddington QLD | 2022

Solo Exhibition Wall, Montville Art Gallery, QLD | 2022

Selection of Works, Whitewall Art Projects Gallery, Berrima | 2022

Selection of Works, The Toowoomba Gallery | 2022

Solo Exhibition: "Why Flowers Matter", Purple Noon Gallery | 2022

“Petite Pieces” Finalist Exhibition, Aspire Gallery, Paddington QLD | 2022

"Layers" (Duo Exhibition with Wendy Dobson), Art Bar, Kiama | 2021

Pie Time Award Finalist Exhibition, Whitewall Art Projects, Berrima | 2021

"Into the Light" Award Finalist Exhibition, Whitewall Project Gallery, Berrima | 2021

"Flow' Award Exhibition, Wollongong Art Gallery | 2021

Solo Exhibition: "Natural Encounters", Michelle Perry Fine Arts, Sydney | 2021

Selection of Works, Flying Pig Gallery, Berry | 2020

Selection of Works, Whitewall Art Projects Gallery, Berrima | 2020

Solo Exhibition: "Urban Detour", Fern Street Gallery, Gerringong | 2020

"Postcodes from the Edge", Wollongong Regional Art Gallery | 2019

Solo Exhibition: "I.D. Landscape" (Textiles & Watercolours), The Shoalhaven Arts Centre | 2009

Solo Exhibition: "Fragments of the Carnival", Old Court House, Wollongong | 2008

Meroogal Prize, Travelling Exhibition (Textile Work) | 2007 – 2008

"The Rabbit Hole", UOW Graduates Exhibition | 2007

Members Works (Oils), Project Gallery, Wollongong | 2006

"Godfest" Exhibition (Sponsored by Stacks Law firm), Commonwealth Ban, Taree | 2005

"Vergence" Group Exhibition, John Paynter Gallery, Newcastle | 2005

"Aperitif": New Start Exhibition for Artists, Sydney Town Art Gallery, Everleigh | 2005

"Women's Sculpture", Blue Poles Gallery, Byabarra | 2005

"Avant Card" Sculpture Exhibition, Studio Theatre in Sydney Opera House Foyer | 2005

"Av an Art" Graduates Exhibition, Forster TAFE | 2005

Exhibition for Graduating Students (Oils, Watercolours, Ink Drawings), Taree Tourist Information Centre | 2005

"Art in the Foyer" Solo Mini Exhibition, ABC Mid North Coast Offices | 2005

"From Under the Bed" Group Exhibition, Old Courthouse, Port Macquarie | 2004

Solo Exhibition: "Insight", Hughendon Hotel, Wollahra | 2003

B.D.A.S.Bowral Alvaro Prize Exhibition (Oils) | 2003

B.D.A.S Bowral Tyree-Tycan Prize Exhibition (Gouache) | 2003

"Go with the Flow" Group Exhibition, Blue Poles Gallery, Byabarra | 2003

"Outside The Square" Group Exhibition, Sheraton Hotel, Port Macquarie | 2003

Solo Exhibition: "Insight" (Printworks and Watercolours), Seagulls Design Gallery, Port Macquarie | 2002

Solo Exhibition: "Artist on Site", Seagulls Design Gallery, Port Macquarie | 2000

"4 Directions" Group Exhibition, Country Design Gallery, Wauchope | 1996

Joint Duo Exhibition with Rupert Richardson, Inverell Regional Gallery | 1995

Baulkham Hills Art Show | 1989

AWARDS

Runner Up, Petite Pieces, Aspire Gallery, Paddington QLD | 2022

Finalist, Petite Pieces, Aspire Gallery, Paddington QLD | 2022

Finalist, Still Life Project, Art Gallery, Wollongong | 2022

Finalist, "Flow", Wollongong Art Gallery, Works on Paper | 2021

Finalist, "Into the Light" Award, Whitewall Art Projects, Berrima | 2021

Second Place, Pie Time Award, Whitewall Art Projects, Berrima | 2021

Finalist, Small Works Award, Brunswick Gallery, Victoria | 2021

Finalist, "Blue Theme" for Charity", Arthead Gallery, Moss Vale | 2020

Finalist, "Blue Theme", Blackstone Gallery, Newcastle | 2020

Second Prize, 'Postcodes from the Edge', Wollongong Regional Art Gallery | 2019

Nowra King Street Gallery Exhibition of Felted and Shibori Textile Wraps in joint exhibition | 2010

Meroogal Prize Finalist, Manipulated textile work | 2008

Second Prize, Taree "Timber Heritage Photographic Competition | 2004

Winner, Hastings Council CBD Street Banner Competition | 2004

Highly Commended, Hastings Aqua Sculpture Awards, Port Macquarie | 2003

Most Outstanding Student Award for Graphic Design Certificate IV | 2002

Winner (Acquisitive), "City of the Arts" Logo, Hastings Council, Port Macquarie | 2001

Winner (People’s Choice), "City of the Arts" Logo, Hastings Council, Port Macquarie | 2001

Winner (Watercolour, Acquisitive), Alzheimer's Drug Painting for Pfizer Drug Company, Sydney | 2001

Winner (Acquisitive), "Art on a Grand Canvas", Greg Norman's Launch Exhibition, New Golf Club | 2000

Winner & Second Prize (Watercolour), Comboyne A & H Association Exhibition | 1995

Highly Commended (Sepia Ink), Taree Show Exhibition | 1995

Commended (Acrylic Work), Taree Show Exhibition | 1995

Second Prize (Watercolour), Comboyne A & H Association Exhibition | 1994

Winner, Watercolour Prize, Wauchope Show Society | 1993

ART EXPERIENCES

"Ovation", Raw International Artists Runway for Designers Exhibition, Albert Hall, Yarralumla, Canberra | 2018
https://rawartists.org/canberra/ovation

"Signature", Raw International Artists Runway for Designers Exhibition, UOW, Wollongong | 2016

Assistant Art Curator, The Works Exhibition, TIGS School Annual Art Exhibition | 2010 https://issuu.com/illawarragrammarschool/docs/issue_4_term_iii_2010

Illustrated Children's Book ('Billy-Can Bob' by David Berry) | 2010

January Holiday Childrens' Art Workshops over 2 weeks, Port Macquarie Art Supplies and Framing | 2005

January Holiday Childrens' Art Workshops over 2 weeks, Port Macquarie Art Supplies and Framing | 2004

“Confluence", Hastings Council Steering Committee Member for this Sculpture on the River exhibition and participant with 2 sculptures, 1 of which won Highly Commended | 2003 - 2005

Art Workshops Monthly Programs, Country Design Gallery & Seagulls Design Gallery | 1996 - 2004

ART INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Bundanon Internship, 1 week | 2008

Founder of Co-Art Inc, Port Macquarie, including ABC Radio foyer monthly exhibits, ongoing travelling members exhibitions and children’s holiday workshops | 2004

Steering Committee member of Aquasculpture Port Macquarie - Sculpture by the River | 2003 - 2005

Director/Owner of art galleries/studios in Wauchope and Port Macquarie | 1996 - 2004

Wendi’s work is an exploration of perception, identity and memory. Her subject matter holds underlying stories of hope and joy in a time where anxiety and disillusion of worldwide issues hold many people in negative frameworks. Wendi’s work, painted in soothing, sometimes vivid colours and shapes, brings a certain peace to the viewer, which in turn renews a sense of wellbeing and happiness. She sees beauty in all things, and it reflects in the work as tranquil and endearing within her subject choices. Her love of animals and Australian fauna and flora is frequently referenced.

Wendi's work is painted in acryl-gouache on gessoed boards which have been mounted onto a framework of pine for strength. The work is sealed with layers of satin varnish to assist in keeping the work dust-free by wiping over with a damp cloth. Some of her work is painted in opaque gouache medium on acid free 300gsm watercolour rag.

Over the years Wendi has experimented with watercolour, gouache, acrylic, oils and fabric printing to seek her creative truths and beliefs. Her experiences that come from extensive overland travel to Europe as a young woman has redefined her perceptions of an ideal lifestyle and is now reflected in her cognitive mark making.