We were lucky to catch up with Leah Knecht recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Probably the most meaningful exhibition I had was my solo show at the Ontario Museum of History and Art, in Ontario, CA. Titled “Equal Justice Under Law,” this ran concurrently with “Art Of Survival: Enduring the Turmoil at Tule Lake,” about the internment site in Tule Lake – the largest designated segregation center ruled under martial law. The Curator of Exhibitions chose me because my work deals with social and political injustice, and I’m of Japanese ancestry on my maternal side.

Anyway, I had very little time to prepare new work, because of the chaos during the pandemic lockdown, but I did a couple of pieces that addressed internment and displacement, racism, and generational trauma. These pieces, and absorbing the Tule Lake exhibit, lead me to create an entirely new body of work called “Identify.”

That series examines issues of being half-Asian and identity conflicts, racism, sexism, and equity. It garnered me a scholarship from TAG Gallery, which included a solo exhibition in May 2022. Many people said they were moved by it, and I hope it brought some awareness to those issues in general, because of all the anti-Asian hate that exists.

Leah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I came from a centuries-old lineage of Japanese artists, and was exposed to the arts since childhood, through my grandfather’s monthly gallery openings, and by my great uncle, esteemed artist Sueo Serisawa. I resisted art as a career initially, but it was in my blood, so I put myself through the Art Center College of Design, and have worked in creative careers ever since. I made large, heavy painting/assemblage/resin pieces in my spare time, but never showed them, because I didn’t have time to pursue a career in fine arts until the dot.com crash of 2001, when jobs in web development basically disappeared.

I then decided to pursue portrait work. My business, Classic Pet Portraits, took a few years to get established, and I started focusing more on my fine art. Now I would say my income is about a 50/50 split between the two. My portraits are highly detailed, realistic works in oil, which helped hone my painting skills. My fine art combines painting, assemblage, construction, resin, and transparencies, and I have developed a unique technique for combining them. My new work is somewhat experiential, in that transparencies are projected onto walls, shadows are cast, plus mirrors and concavities are involved in some, and those change as the viewer moves through the environment.

I like dimension and illusion in my work, and good craftsmanship. I have a workshop in my garage, with many power tools, where most of my pieces start. It’s very physical, but I get a workout that way.

I’m inspired by the state of our country, and my difficult childhood, where I was discriminated against, to make socio/political work. It is an outlet for outrage and sadness, and maybe a catalyst for conversation and awareness. I also do volunteer work, which grounds me, and am a Co-Chairperson of a new group called ALTA Arts Collective, because I really believe we need more art appreciation and collaboration in our communities. I’ve done volunteer work for political organizations, and healthcare as well. I couldn’t make the work I do without actually contributing something, instead of just commenting on injustices through my work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It’s always seeing what one can make out of seemingly not much – discarded items, some pigments, nails, glue, whatever it may be, and a tangible thing is created. That thing is labeled art, and is kind of like giving birth in a sense that it is a new entity. I know that’s an old concept, but it still exciting when you create something you’re proud of, and that might outlast your lifespan.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

When I was starting out, I was given of advice, and a lot of it didn’t work out for me, so I wasted time and money. It was either because it didn’t apply to what I was trying to achieve, or wasn’t given sincerely. So I had to research and rely on my own findings, and learn through some trial and error. There are no shortcuts, and what works for one person might not work for another, even if they have similar goals. The advice was mainly for my portrait business, but applies somewhat to my fine art career as well. I’m not saying don’t listen to advice, but consider how it applies to your situation, personality, and goals. It is easy to get sidetracked or distracted, so set some short-term and long-term goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leahknecht-art.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahknecht.2/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leah.knecht.3/
• Other: https://altaartscollective.com/

Image Credits
Photos by Leah Knecht.