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I create charcoal and graphite drawings of human bodies multiplied to form abstract shapes and compositions. Often scaled to life-size, these
figures are simultaneously floating, falling, and twisting across an ambiguous space created by the blank white paper background.
The bodies carry a feeling of contradiction between harmony and discord as they push and pull each other, forming constellations on the paper's
surface. I draw from models, but I never pose them; they have free reign to move in an immediate, improvised dance. This fluidity contrasts with a
fastidious drawing process, where every tiny gesture and wrinkle take on great significance.
figures are simultaneously floating, falling, and twisting across an ambiguous space created by the blank white paper background.
The bodies carry a feeling of contradiction between harmony and discord as they push and pull each other, forming constellations on the paper's
surface. I draw from models, but I never pose them; they have free reign to move in an immediate, improvised dance. This fluidity contrasts with a
fastidious drawing process, where every tiny gesture and wrinkle take on great significance.
I'm fascinated by the persistent relevance of ancient myths; these stories span time and place to express human experience. My most recent
drawings are inspired by the stories of Icarus and the Voyager spacecraft. These strange bedfellows represent the very human desire to escape
Earth's bounds. Icarus glued feathers to his arms and flew to the sun. Currently, Voyager is poised to become the first man-made object to leave
our solar-system. Thousands of years of human progress seeking escape.
drawings are inspired by the stories of Icarus and the Voyager spacecraft. These strange bedfellows represent the very human desire to escape
Earth's bounds. Icarus glued feathers to his arms and flew to the sun. Currently, Voyager is poised to become the first man-made object to leave
our solar-system. Thousands of years of human progress seeking escape.
| Leah Yerpe |
| Pleiades - SOLD 72 x 107 Inches Charcoal on Paper 2011 |
| Hyacinth - SOLD 5 x 7 Inches Graphite and Ink on Paper 2012 |
| Poise - SOLD 36 x 26 Inches Graphite and Ink on Paper 2010 |
| Pause 47 x 36 inches Oil on Paper 2007 |
| Grus - 18 x 50 Inches Graphite and Ink on Paper 2012 |
| Pavo - SOLD 18 x 50 Inches Graphite and Ink on Paper 2012 |
| Salacia - 20 x 26 Inches Graphite, Ink and Chalk on Handmade Paper 2012 |
| Gravity 60 x 109 Inches Charcoal on Paper 2008 |
| Equilibrium 68 x 36 inches Oil on Paper 2008 |
| Zips 30.25 x 30 Inches Graphite and Ink on Paper 2010 |
Leah was born and raised in Cattaraugus County, NY, and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
Education
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY 11205
M.F.A. Painting/Drawing. October 2009
State University of New York at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063
B.F.A. Painting/Drawing, Minor: Art History. May 2007
Summa Cum Laude.
Exhibitions
2012
“WagMag Benefit Art Auction,” The Boiler, Manhattan, NY
“Fountain Art Fair,” 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, NY
“Reflections,” Dacia Gallery, Manhattan, NY
“Hyperboreans,” Dacia Gallery, Manhattan, NY
2011
“Illumination (solo show),” Dacia Gallery, Manhattan, NY
“Governor’s Island Art Fair,” Governor’s Island, New York, NY
“Unlucky Art Social,” 269 Meserole Loft, Brooklyn, NY
“Japan Society Benefit Exhibition,” Smile Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Wide Open,” (awarded people’s choice) Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Brooklyn, NY
2010
“2010 Winter Salon,” Elga Wimmer PCC, Manhattan, NY
“Small Works Invitational,” The Painting Center, Manhattan, NY
“Lost in Space,” (solo show) Weeks Gallery, Olean, NY
“Governor’s Island Art Fair,” Governor’s Island, New York, NY
“Remedy,” The Loom, Brooklyn, NY
“Wide Open,” (best in show) Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Brooklyn, NY
2009
“Pratt MFA Exhibition,” Pratt Manhattan Gallery, Manhattan, NY
“Leah Yerpe: Thesis Exhibition,” (solo show) Pratt Studios Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Exchange,” Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
2008
“Small Works,” Lucky Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“BYOA Exhibition,” Steuben South Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Refinement,” Aswoon Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2007
“First Year Works,” Steuben East Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Erie Art Museum Annual Spring Show,” (juried show) Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
“Senior Exhibition,” Rockefellar Arts Center, Fredonia, NY
“Great Lakes Emerging Artist Competition,” (juried show) Adams Art Gallery, Dunkirk, NY
“Faculty Select,” Rockefellar Arts Center, Fredonia, NY
“Monotype and Intaglio,” Emmitt Christian Gallery, Fredonia, NY
2006
“Fredonia Five,” 150 Central Gallery, Fredonia, NY
“Figures,” Emmitt Christian Gallery, Fredonia, NY
2005
“UB-Fredonia Exchange Show,” University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
“Art Forum Annual Exhibition,” Williams Center Gallery, Fredonia, NY
“SUNY Student Art Exhibit,” State University Plaza Gallery, Albany, NY
“Emerging Painters,” Palace Gallery, Jamestown, NY
“30th Annual Jamestown Community College Young Artists Exhibit,” Jamestown, NY
2004
“Images in Black and White,” (solo show),
Jamestown Community College, Olean, NY
Education
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY 11205
M.F.A. Painting/Drawing. October 2009
State University of New York at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063
B.F.A. Painting/Drawing, Minor: Art History. May 2007
Summa Cum Laude.
Exhibitions
2012
“WagMag Benefit Art Auction,” The Boiler, Manhattan, NY
“Fountain Art Fair,” 69th Regiment Armory, Manhattan, NY
“Reflections,” Dacia Gallery, Manhattan, NY
“Hyperboreans,” Dacia Gallery, Manhattan, NY
2011
“Illumination (solo show),” Dacia Gallery, Manhattan, NY
“Governor’s Island Art Fair,” Governor’s Island, New York, NY
“Unlucky Art Social,” 269 Meserole Loft, Brooklyn, NY
“Japan Society Benefit Exhibition,” Smile Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Wide Open,” (awarded people’s choice) Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Brooklyn, NY
2010
“2010 Winter Salon,” Elga Wimmer PCC, Manhattan, NY
“Small Works Invitational,” The Painting Center, Manhattan, NY
“Lost in Space,” (solo show) Weeks Gallery, Olean, NY
“Governor’s Island Art Fair,” Governor’s Island, New York, NY
“Remedy,” The Loom, Brooklyn, NY
“Wide Open,” (best in show) Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Brooklyn, NY
2009
“Pratt MFA Exhibition,” Pratt Manhattan Gallery, Manhattan, NY
“Leah Yerpe: Thesis Exhibition,” (solo show) Pratt Studios Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Exchange,” Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
2008
“Small Works,” Lucky Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“BYOA Exhibition,” Steuben South Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Refinement,” Aswoon Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2007
“First Year Works,” Steuben East Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Erie Art Museum Annual Spring Show,” (juried show) Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
“Senior Exhibition,” Rockefellar Arts Center, Fredonia, NY
“Great Lakes Emerging Artist Competition,” (juried show) Adams Art Gallery, Dunkirk, NY
“Faculty Select,” Rockefellar Arts Center, Fredonia, NY
“Monotype and Intaglio,” Emmitt Christian Gallery, Fredonia, NY
2006
“Fredonia Five,” 150 Central Gallery, Fredonia, NY
“Figures,” Emmitt Christian Gallery, Fredonia, NY
2005
“UB-Fredonia Exchange Show,” University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
“Art Forum Annual Exhibition,” Williams Center Gallery, Fredonia, NY
“SUNY Student Art Exhibit,” State University Plaza Gallery, Albany, NY
“Emerging Painters,” Palace Gallery, Jamestown, NY
“30th Annual Jamestown Community College Young Artists Exhibit,” Jamestown, NY
2004
“Images in Black and White,” (solo show),
Jamestown Community College, Olean, NY
| Dart 22 x 30 Inches Graphite Chalk and Ink on Paper 2010 |