Date: Apr 16, 2024
About the artwork
Creature from the Depths, is a mixed media ledger drawing made using a variety of media and paper ephemera as collage.
This artwork is included in the Here & Now exhibition at the Royal Alberta Museum until September 29, 2024. Learn more about the exhibition.
The AFA acquired this artwork through its Art Acquisition by Application program in 2023. This program is designed to acquire contemporary works of art by any eligible Alberta artist.
Artist statement
The following is an excerpt of Michael Leeb's artist statement. Read the full statement.
Creature from the Depths is a mythical storm creature conjured from an imaginative act of drawing and collage inspired by artistic pareidolia and the use of a vintage nautical map of the pacific Westcoast. This piece is intended to be a metaphorical allusion to colonialism and transformation as depicted by the storm creature devouring a tall ship.
About the artist
Michael J. Leeb is a métis visual artist, writer, and poet (Chippewa Cree/German). Michael is a printmaker (drypoint copper etchings), a papermaker, and creates mixed media drawings/ink paintings and artist books.
His work is included in the collections of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library of the University of Alberta, Medalta Potteries, and the Ino-Cho Paper Museum (Japan).