Bio
Jeff van Leeuwen is an intermedia artist and sculptor based in Southern Ontario, Canada. Having transitioned to an art practice from a former career in construction and trades, van Leeuwen’s work incorporates a close familiarity with the materials and structures that shape daily life. Repurposed concrete, wood, metal and found objects make up the bulk of his assemblages.
His pieces often investigate the complex relationship between humanity and the environment. Sculptures function as a commentary on the human condition, and a criticism of the irresponsible management of materials and waste.
Fracturing, recombining and balancing forms help van Leeuwen to address issues of negligence at their core: personal understanding and acceptance of oneself and others. His belief is that without internal balance and harmony, external imbalance- be it interpersonal or environmental, is sure to follow. This inevitably leads to conflict. He works to encourage self reflection, tenderness and love, fostering greater accountability with nature and each other as stewards of our planet.
Statement
My practice began during a period of profound grief after losing my mother to mesothelioma- a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. I was devastated, powerless and unable to hold anyone accountable. For years afterwards I struggled with anger, sadness, and emotional disconnection. Making art became a way to navigate that loss and to rebuild a sense of self.
I work with discarded and overlooked materials; detritus pulled from creeks, objects abandoned in ditches, remnants of things once valued. Their scars, weight, and persistence draw me in and I listen closely, allowing the mysteries of the mundane to reveal themselves. Fragments of former bodies which help me to understand my own. Rather than imposing a predetermined form, I respond to the textures, histories, and tensions already present within the objects I collect.
My sculptures explore the division between what we neglect and what we hope to preserve. They reflect my sensitivity to the careless use and disposal of hazardous materials, and the human consequences of that carelessness. Through reworking what has been cast aside, I aim to create spaces of attention, tenderness, and renewal. At its core, my work is an attempt to find light within loss and to make beauty from what remains.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
CV: Available upon request.
@jeffvanlee