Leslie 220523

 

When Leslie walks into a room, she literally emanates light. She is an extraordinarily warm spirit and irresistible. We share a unique sisterhood, and together celebrated our 21 years of friendship during our reunion in the Netherlands this month. We met in May of 2001 on the Greek island of Samos where we bonded immediately and were inseparable. It was here I was first exposed to how Leslie’s artistry is inspired by the natural world. 

We all find friends when we travel, but rarely do those friendships sustain and deepen like ours has. After we met in Greece, she hosted me in her home in the Netherlands until I found my own sublet when I was there for 6 months curating a large international, and very grassroots, photo exhibition at de Melkfabriek gallery in s’Hertogenbosch. It was a formative experience for me as a young visual artist, and I could not have done this without her support. Years later I toured her across western Canada, through the mountains and across the prairie. She was adopted by my friends and family who also remain in touch with her and love her as I do.  

I have been back to the Netherlands several times over the years and I continue to marvel over this remarkable connection we share. We cried at the airport last fall, after 10 years had passed from our prior meeting. I am inspired by the creative life she has built together with her wonderful partner, Ivo, another visual artist and fellow home chef, whom I have come to call my brother. They have welcomed and celebrated my partner, François, like family, and it means the world to us. Her beautiful spirit and positive energy continue to deepen and is evident in the profound ceramic works she creates and everything else she touches. I am honoured to share this human connection across the continents.