Leslye Discont Arian
Artist Statement
The nude figure- equal to still lifes and landscapes, is a classical theme in art. In classical art the female nude is often depicted as goddess or nymph, the male as warrior or martyrs. In contemporary art the lines are more blurred and we are able to convey the emotional aspect of the body.
The female figure is a revisited theme in my drawings. By working with a variety of materials, working large and using full arm, I am able to build messy, unbound and sometimes problematic texture in order to make a social statement about the vulnerable and universal spirit of the nude figure.
My figures have oversized muscles or no muscles, the hands are oversized or undersized. They have breasts or no breasts. They have strong necks. They all contain energy, humor at times, they all have scars, the figures are a combination of every flesh tone, from red brown to yellow pink to blue black, etc. The figures may reference gender neutrality, fertility, or sexuality. The body is often drawn in half - this implies first the contrast and then the melding of our physical and spiritual state of being.
Education
BFA Cleveland Institute of Art 1976
Architectural Graphics and Wayfinding 1978-1990
Non-Profit Development 1990-2013
Art Exhibitions
Morgan Conservancy Show 2014
Juma Gallery Solo Show 2014
Maria Neil Project 2015
Artist Archives New Now 2017
The JCC/ J Show 2015/2016
Shaker Historical Society Solo Exhibit 2017
Lakeland May Show 2017/2018
St. Paul Episcopal Church Group Show 2018
Tower East Building Solo Show 2018
New Masters/ Urseline College 2018
Cleveland Institute of Art Alumni Show 2017 Honorable Mention 2018
The CAN (Collective Arts Network) Cleveland Triennial 2018
Judson Park Salon Show 2018
HeightsArts Thinking Sideways Invitational 2019
Still Point Gallery Solo Show 2019
Material Cleveland at Worthington Yards 2019
Shaker Arts and Beachwood Arts Good Neighbors Exhibit 2019
Ohio Arts Council Biennial Riffe Gallery Juried Show 2019
Current Boards and Arts Advocacy/Community Service
Cleveland Institute of Art Alumni Board and Task Force, member
Cleveland Institute of Art Co-Chair Alumni Exhibition
The Shaker Community Gallery at Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights, founder
Artist Archives of Western Reserve: Artist Selection Committee
The Pocket Park Public Art Project Shaker Heights, collaborator
Member of: Artist Salon
Public Art Committee City of Shaker Heights Government: Van Aken District and Moreland Revisioning
Heights Arts Exhibition Committee
The Emperor Has No Balls Trump Sculpture, Public Art Committee Cleveland Heights