Leslye Discont Arian

BIOGRAPHY

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