“‘In The Midst of Darkness, Nature Persists’ is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of truth, non-violence, inclusivity, unity and benevolence. With global warming threatening all of existence, and the Covid-19 crisis lingering in our midst, it is sometimes difficult to be positive and unified. Add in a Canadian winter with its dark somnambulance, and it can seem paralyzing. We all just want to hide out until spring.

My childhood happiness always involved spaces of explosive colour and titillating texture; Disneyworld’s ‘It’s A Small World’, hiding inside a weeping willow tree, playing in my father’s electrical shop with its fodder of bits and wires for creating tiaras and sculptures, the movies ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, all these inspired an artistic life in which I seek to create visual and experiential joy to be shared with all, where everyone can immerse and rejuvenate, in which an unpleasant season is never experienced.

I live on an almost empty island, where the deer freely roam, surrounded by trees, butterflies, water, and rampant nature. This installation features ‘The Father, Son and Holy Ghost’, a trio of deer who traverse my yard, an explosion of butterflies that flit among my flowers, hanging vines and overgrown trees I am forever trying to tame, all culminating in an explosion of colour, a welcome respite from the dirty slush and oppression that winter can sometimes bring.

Real spring will come eventually, but I can’t wait, so I have created it for you.”

– Leisa Rich