Artist Portfolio: Leonard Piha

I have been creating things since my childhood. My mother always said, “Leonard expresses himself with his hands.” It was her encouragement along with helping my dad in his workshop that planted the seed in me for a life of making art. I have been making sculpture since 1975. In the 70’s I welded things. In the 80’s I carved and constructed wood. In the 90’s I discovered rusty tin and learned how to punch it, fold it, and illuminate it. And for the last ten years I have been blending all these phases and even started panting. Candle, ladder, tree, bicycle, jug, man, woman, my dad, my tools, a stairway, wine glass, house, horse, boat, torah, fish, silverware, door, guitar, mountains and water, hands, menorah, hearts, my boys, family, g-d’s eye, a chair, window, tower, animals especially a horse, birds, trucks, hats, yads, leaves, boots, faces, the sun, moon, and stars. These images are my anchors. They have many meanings. They move, ground, excite, embarrass, comfort, symbolize and challenge the artist in me. Sometimes a vivid dream. Sometimes I just enjoy rearranging my studio or moving a pile of wood from one area to another. It’s like I am constantly getting ready for something and somehow during that rearranging time something happens and an idea emerges.