Yaama (Kamilaroi word for ‘Hello’)
Leah Brideson Arts is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated business [o]
Leah is an Aboriginal woman born in Canberra, ACT. Leah’s mob are Kamilaroi from her Grandmothers country in the Gunnedah region.
Leah’s art practice began in her early childhood. As a self taught artist, Leah paved her own way in rediscovering and sharing her identity after constantly being told she was ‘too white to be Aboriginal’. She created a visual way to say the words that were going unheard.
Leah refers to her arts practice as ‘visual yarns’; illustrated stories and conversations, connecting people with cultural practices and landscapes, gently hinting nuances of activism and a vehicle for voicing culture, Country and connection.
Themes
Key themes in Leah’s work are of connecting with and protecting Country, healing, empowering her own cultural identity and rediscovering her Ancestral ways. Leah’s work reflects who she is, her relationship with herself and her identity through a First Nations lens. Leah’s signature ‘cracked earth’ style developed from time spent observing the landscape on her Country symbolises culture as interconnected with Country, and the space in between as rich and deep in history and story. Journey lines through Leah’s work acknowledge connection, relationships and pathways of learning, rediscovering and healing.
Leah’s paintings often work through different perspectives and connect both contemporary and traditional ways of cultural mapping. She explores traditional designs and mediums and blend these ideas with her contemporary identity. Leah continues to read and discover her Ancestors footprints as she journeys through the physical and spiritual landscape.
Inspiration
Leah has always felt inspired and somewhat overstimulated by the art in the natural environment, particularly the colour gradients, patterns and textures through different seasons and times of the day. The changing landscapes in Leah’s hometown, on Country and from her journeys to ocean Country and beyond sing to her and she interprets the art and story of these diverse and timeless cultural landscapes throughout her work. Leah paints the landscape with dense layers of fine dotting, Aboriginal symbolism and abstract patterning, whilst amalgamating gradients of colour, size and texture to make her work pulsate and move beyond the edges, creating a feeling of being on Country.
Leah is a mother to two young children and also works as a Cultural Integrity Coordinator and Indigenous Education Officer with the ACT Education Directorate. She shares her love of art and storytelling in all aspects of her life.
Viewers of Leah’s work are asked to take time in connecting with Leah’s art, as if they are out connecting with Country, and to rediscover culture and Country through a contemporary First Nations lens.
“Art is such an important platform to share my culture with the wider community. My art is like a ‘visual yarn’ or a painted conversation where viewers can connect with the stories and meaning behind the work”.
Achievements
- ACT and Region Indigenous Excellence Awards. Indigenous High Achiever. Indigenous Business Chamber, Indigenous Employment, Education and Training & ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 2014.
- ACT Ombudsman Aboriginal Art Competition. Winner. April, 2018.
- Inner North Art Prize. Finalist. The Front Café, Lyneham. October, 2018.
- Canberra Weekly Magazine. Cover Image – ‘Woman. Celebration. Life’. 8 November 2018 Edition.
- ACT and Region NAIDOC Artist of the Year 2022.
Testimonials
“Thank you so much Leah for painting ‘Perspectives’, our family’s story. With compassion and insight, you captured the essence of our family’s story, weaving in our connection to country, our love of family and our shared experiences. You have given our family such a special gift that will we will treasure for generations” – Michele
“From start to finish, Leah was open, communicative and understanding of the meaning behind the piece. I cannot express how happy I am to hang this piece in our family home. It holds pride of place in the centre of our home” – Eli
“Working with Leah was a delight. She listened to our family story, pulled out key features then crafted them into a breathtaking and striking artwork. Throughout the process, Leah communicated with us and sent sketches and photographic updates making the commission a fun and meaningful family project” – Jenny
Authenticity Statement
I, Leah Brideson, a descendant from Kamilaroi Country and the Artist, certify that all artworks and products on this website are my own designs, original and authentic works of art.
I, Leah Brideson, the Artist, am a Contemporary Aboriginal Artist. All artwork, their stories and cultural content are represented from my own Dreaming and from my understanding and place in the world as an Aboriginal Woman. I use traditional concepts and symbolism represented through a modern, contemporary lens and have developed my style based on time spent on my Country, the place in which I live and from stories passed on by my family.
Dedication
I dedicate this website and all my arts practice to my Dad, Michael ‘Mick’ Brideson.
I miss you and think of you every day as you travel through the Dreaming with our Ancestors.
I love you my hero.
