About The Artist
" I have always loved the way nature - plants and creatures find a way into the cracks and crevices of man-made structures - These unplanned expressions of wilderness have always felt like important reminders that no matter how much we seek to remove ourselves from nature it is impossible - without nature we are nothing and the denial of nature is the denial of life."
Genevieve Leavold
Influences and inspiration
Why do I make paintngs?
born.1980. Somerset UK.
I believe that we are all connected, I believe that plants and animals are equal to humans and I believe that we are killing ourselves and our planet through an obsession with otherness. In my paintings I am investigating my own spontaneous response to questions about who we are, and what it mean to be alive. I work in series, each theme is connected to these questions.
My beliefs are expressed in my work through the process of creation and the choice of movement, the pieces are painted in a very direct way, with little planning but the language and gesture I use are all soft, Within the movement, I explore different vibrations and patterning, similar to the way that plants grow.
My paintings are driven by and express a sense of Abandon, but it's contained in the space, and in my own movements. There's rhythm in nature, so the unplanned gestures unconsciously conform to this rhythmic flow.
Throughout the process of creation I was thinking a lot about value, what we value and how confined we are by the values of modern capitalism - the things we take for granted and how little time we spend in a place of pure abandon, joy or freedom.
This direction was inspired by a need to reconcile myself with a feeling of confinement and also a joy at the simplicity this produced - The place that I found was Wu Wei - a place of effortless action
Her process develops through deep observation of nature and subsequent abstraction of essential qualities of form and colour from the worn, overgrown and overlooked parts of her city to create intuitive, direct paintings and drawings.
Genevieve Leavold draws on her love of organic forms found in nature and love of eastern philosophy as inspiration for her work. She is particularly drawn to Lichen, mosses and Fungi, marine plant, microbiological and mycological shapes and colours.
CV
Solo Exhibitions
2021
Release - Virtual Exhibition
2019
Legacy - Fitrovia Gallery, London, UK
FUGUE STATES - Magacin Kultural Center, Belgrade, Serbia
2018
Desire Paths - Fitzrovia Gallery, London, UK
If Not Now - Center 424, Belgrade, Serbia
2016
Glimpses – Center 424, Belgrade, Serbia
2015
30 days – Walthamstow Arts Festival
2012
Parklife - Walthamstow Arts Festival
2010
Joy - Easton ARTS, Bristol
Commissions and collections
Genevieve Leavold has completed commissions for private individuals. Her paintings are held in corporate and private collections worldwide.
Memberships and affiliations
Group Exhibitions
2021
The Other Art Fair - Virtual Editions
2020
Kite Circus - Sidney and Matilda Gallery, Sheffield.
2019
Free From Form - Polet, Belgrade, Serbia
The Other Art Fair - Mana Contemporary, Chicago, USA
Observations of a Dog - Safehouse I&II, London, UK
2018
From ArtCan with Love - London UK
New Artist Fair - London UK
2017
Clio Art Fair - Chelsea, New York
TRIBE17 - Oxo Bargehouse, London
The Other Art Fair - Old Truman Brewery, London
At this Point in Time – The Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh
The Tunnel – Waterstones Gallery, London WCIN
2016
WITP- Strand Gallery, London
The Waste Land – Asylum Chapel, London
Elles In Rogue: XX Protagonists, Artworks Elephant.
Drawing: 5 Answers, Center 424, Belgrade, Serbia
2015
BANG! - 100years Gallery, Hoxton, London.
Metamorphosis – Bow Arts, London
The Outsider - 5th Base Gallery, London, E1
2009- 2014
Selected Works – Cultivate Vyner Street
RE:UP – Cultivate Gallery Vyner Street, London E2
Zeitgiest Open – ZAP Arts, Goodwood Road, London
Deep Purple - Group Show at Cultivate
Montpelier Art Fringe, Bristol
Montpelier Art Fringe, Bristol