iconTechnique Mixte
Leïla Labelle was born in 1960 in Montreal. She lives and works in this same city.
Since she was very young, Leïla has shown a marked interest in the study of different cultures. Books, magazines and all forms of documentation that could feed his insatiable desire for discovery influence his life and his artistic work. In the same way, his travels significantly fuel his artistic practice, as was the case during his long stay in Mexico.
The artist moved towards studies in fashion design at Concordia University in Montreal and completed his training with sculpture, ceramics and jewelry-making workshops, thus consolidating the basis of his artistic knowledge. The artist also took calligraphy and Chinese painting classes in 2016 with world-renowned artist Liankui Zhang. During this same period, she also attended natural dyeing workshops on Washi paper (Japanese tissue paper).
From 2015, after months of reflection and experimentation with natural dyes, inks and various handmade papers, Leïla devoted her time to putting together her contemporary collection of kimonos, geishas and Chinese women inspired by "The Silk Road” and other distant lands. This collection is marked by traditional clothing as well as current Asian street art, Japanese manga and jewelry ornaments used in the prestigious Dior Haute Couture collections.
His art is not created with the sole aim of being contemplated, but rather presents itself as a book to be discovered, that one goes through and experiences. The depth of his dreams, the richness of his travels and his multiple creative experiences are felt everywhere through his art.
Leïla Labelle has taken part in several solo, group and charity exhibitions in Montreal, New York, France and Italy. The artist has also collaborated with Oxfam Quebec for certain social causes including that of women's rights in Bolivia and Burkina Faso. His works are part of public, private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States and Europe.
Awards and Recognition
- Special Award for Merit to the 6th Annual curated "All Women" Art Exhibition , Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery, Florida;
- Excellence Award at the “ New Beginnings” online curated exhibition , Manhattan Arts International, New York;
- Silver prize for a mixed media work during a group exhibition at the La Pigna gallery, in Rome. The jury was made up of the president of the gallery, a journalist from the Vatican Magazine and an art historian.