Leigh Bridges

• MFA, University of Victoria
• BFA, University of Alberta

Building from an investigation of atmospheric landscape and the optical phenomenon of light and color in painting, Leigh Bridges’ work represents an expanding conversation between modernist forms, landscape and DIY designed technologies. Through projects in various media she has been imagining technologies that interface between people and natural systems, researching the possibilities surrounding foldable solar energy technologies as these relate to idealism and use. Recent projects have included the “Colourfield Cookstove” painted aluminum sculptures modified from a functioning flat-packed and folded solar cook stove, the “Solar Array” video animation and the “Fold and Gather” silkscreened paper prints laser-cut to pop out into sculptural forms. Through this work, Bridges has been exploring dialectics central to discourses in painting, print and design, such as the ameliorative potential vs. romantic projection embodied in these traditions, and the negotiation between public vs. private modes of distribution.

Canadian artist Leigh Bridges lives and works in Winnipeg and holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Victoria, Canada. Bridges has exhibited widely in Canada and Europe, most recently at AGAlab Atelier Grafisch Amsterdam, Plan Z (Miguel Hernández University, Altea Spain), Arebyte 17 with Become Become (London UK), Paul Petro Contemporary (Toronto), and Gallery Simon Blais (Montreal). Her work is part of several private and corporate collections, including Bank of Montreal, Toronto Dominion Bank, and Global Affairs Canada. Bridges holds a position of Assistant Professor of Art and Design at the University of Manitoba. She is represented by Paul Petro Contemporary in Toronto.