Faces and Characters by Vera Leon (a journey towards the freedom of immediacy) features two-dimensional portraiture composed using a variety of media. 

Painter and illustrator Vera Leon calls her recent work, “imaginary creatures asking to be born.” Presented at the Gallery in City Hall in a way that traces the development of her studio practice, these faces and characters have become more expressive over time as Leon’s creative process has become more intuitive.

“In the dialectical struggle between undefined form and empty space, I find images using a method of scribbling which allows me to discover order and meaning in chaos. I see something that intrigues me, I connect to it emotionally and intellectually, and then I give myself the freedom to go either in the direction of figuration or abstraction. This approach leads to the intentional ambiguity in my work, which offers many different interpretations,” Leon stated.

About the Artist:

Vera Leon is a Providence-based artist who was born in Yugoslavia. She graduated from the Academy of Applied Arts with degrees in painting and costume design, pursuing a career in apparel design before moving to the United States, where she earned an MFA in drawing at the University of North Dakota. Although her approaches to art-making are constantly changing, her passion for the human form remains.