Alumni in Focus
Leah Davis
Less than a year after her studies at Gray鈥檚 School of Art, Pop Portrait artist Leah Davis brings her first post-graduation exhibition to the eyes of the public.
Doing her initial art studies in Inverness, Leah enrolled in her Masters in Fine Art with Gray鈥檚 during the pandemic and completed her studies from her home studio in Lossiemouth. Studying remotely would stifle some students, however Leah found the experience beneficial for her creative process.
鈥淚 think if I were to be at the start of my undergraduate studies, learning completely from home would have been a big shock to the system. But being through the undergrad process already and returning for my Maters came at the perfect time.
鈥淚 learned from my mistakes and knew exactly what I wanted to do. I just settled into my home studio and got to work.鈥�
During that time in the studio, Leah was approached by to run a summer school programme which evolved into a permanent position as Art Convenor. The role involved her wearing many hats to manage the venue on a daily basis, seeing her organise workshops, events and engaging with artists to arrange exhibitions. Soon the opportunity presented itself to switch sides and exhibit at the venue herself.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e just got to ask鈥� she says, 鈥淚 had an exhibition lined up at another gallery space but sadly they had to close due to rising costs so when the team at Moray Arts Centre asked what they could do to help, I asked if I could host it at the venue. And here we are!鈥�
Her exhibition, 鈥楢 Chip off the Old Pop鈥�, is in collaboration with Pop Surrealist 鈥� an artist who has not only been her mentor but a big influence in her creative make-up.
鈥淢ichael has been a favourite artist of mine for years and I鈥檝e always looked up to him. I just love the use of bright colours and dream-like subjects. That鈥檚 what I love about surrealism, you can just create random stuff and make it weird.
鈥淥ur exhibition pulls our work together to celebrate self-expression and championing your authentic self. It鈥檚 been great to work with Michael on this and he鈥檚 given me so much freedom to create this collection. He was like 鈥楾his is your show, I鈥檓 just the supporting artist - we can do what you want鈥� so it鈥檚 been a positive experience.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 really exciting is that all of my works which feature have never been seen before and Michael鈥檚 pieces compliment the collection to help with the storytelling.
鈥淭he exhibition is all about life experiences and being your authentic self. Just be you at the end of the day. If you鈥檙e weird - embrace it!
鈥淭hat鈥檚 been a huge backbone of my work and not holding back has really evolved my work. Do what you want to do rather than what you鈥檙e expected to 鈥� that鈥檚 something that鈥檚 easily done when you鈥檙e studying.鈥�
Looking back on her journey up to opening the doors of her exhibition, Leah reflects that her path is 鈥渁ll down to hard work鈥�.
鈥淵ou just have to work hard or you鈥檙e not going to get to where you want to be. No opportunities just fall on your lap. That鈥檚 a big thing Michael taught me, you鈥檝e got to find your opportunities and grab them when you can.
鈥淎pply for everything and make lots of connections 鈥� it鈥檚 those connections that help find your opportunities. Rejection is inevitable but some things aren鈥檛 meant to be and you can鈥檛 shy away from putting yourself out there.鈥�
Leah鈥檚 exhibition runs from Saturday 8 to Sunday 30 April at Moray Art Centre in Forres.