Leon Leigh and Autumn Arrive at Gallery 'n' Gifts

It has been an exciting year at Gallery 'n' Gifts, with a number of wonderful guest artist programs. The Gallery celebrated their 35th anniversary in September and they have an extraordinary artist lined up for October's First Friday.

Sculptor, Leon Leigh was born, raised and received his education in London. At an early age he designed custom furniture for the family business, while pursuing his degree in art. His artistic education continued as he worked as a stonemason, honing his skill at cutting and polishing marble. His mechanical and mathematical skills, combined with his past designing skills, eventually brought him to his current medium, metal.

Leigh immigrated to America in 1986 and opened a design studio in Culver City, CA. With inspiration and support from leading decorators in LA, his sculptures were wanted worldwide.

Commissions for private and commercial parties were sought after due to the spontaneity of his designs. Leigh has relocated his studio to Bear Valley Springs and continues to sculpt, using his well known fiery imagination.

Leigh speaks of his passion, "As a sculptor, I love to work in materials that will last the test of time. Though I work in stone and wood, I prefer the malleability of the heated metal, allowing me to literally push the metal in its molten state – to capture the line, moving it with the force of the torch's flames itself and nothing else. The passionate interplay of fire and metal is what both inspires and propels my creative works.

"Having been inspired by the raw and primitive sculptures of Alberto Giacometti, I set out to create something new and different and develop my own unique style. To transform rigid steel into suspenders, lace, garters and my ultimate accomplishment, shoes, as been nothing less than exciting."

Come in, chat with the entertaining and accomplished metal sculptor, Leon Leigh while perusing his work, and enjoying a refreshments. First Friday will be Oct. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 100 W. Tehachapi Blvd. For further information call (661) 822-6062.

The featured artist's works will continue to show through mid-November in conjunction with the November Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce Mixer, to be held at Gallery 'n' Gifts on Nov. 12.