Leah Wilson is painter, sculptor, and writer known for her time-intensive art that explore the rhythms and patterns of specific landscapes and they way they change over time. An initial artist residency at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in the Oregon Cascades introduced her to ecologists working on long-term studies and field research. Attracted by the enduring focus of inquiry into a specific place, she is a lifetime artist-in-residence at the Andrews Forest. This is a place that has inspired many of her projects, stemming from extensive conversations on site with scientists about interpreting our changing ecosystems through the lens of extended research.
Wilson’s art interweaves her passion for whitewater kayaking and outdoor adventures, ecology, and environmental issues. At the age of 18 she became a river guide and instructor leading her to create a pivotal project influenced by the environmental decision-making processes of scientists, resource managers, and special interest groups during the Federal Energy Relicensing Commission’s assessment of her local watershed. This experience and decades of wilderness exploration form the backbone that continues to inform her creative process.
Wilson’s artwork has been exhibited at galleries throughout the West Coast and her work is in public and private collections including the Percent for Art Collection of the State of Oregon. She has participated in collaborative projects in including Oregon Origins Project and Playa’s inaugural Wildfire + Water project. When she is not making art or in the field with an ecologist, Leah can often be found outside greeting the sun as it rises, running trails through a forest, bouncing down a rapid, or climbing a very old and tall tree. Wilson lives in Eugene, Oregon and teaches art at Oregon State University.
