Ashleigh Leung - LU BAS Portfolio

Architectural Studies LU Portfolio Ashleigh Leung

Table of Contents Statement of Interest

3

3D

4

Pencil Crayon

8

Pencil

11

Pen

13

Watercolour

14

Gouache

16

Oil Pastel

18

Mixed Media

19

Digital

21

Dance

22

References

23

Statement of Interest

To whom it may concern, Twelve-year old me came across architecture through the TV channel HGTV . I watched home renovations and redesigns daily up to the point where I tried to convince my parents to let me rearrange the house in order to get hands-on experience. While that notion was denied, they supported my aspirations and enrolled me into art class. Under the guidance of Stephen Yau, I started to develop a love for visual arts and find my own sense of style. The years following my acceptance into the visual arts program at Alexander Mackenzie H.S nurtured my creativity further with more opportunities to grow my artistic skills. In addition to the art classes, I took technological design courses where we used computer aided design softwares such as SketchUp. After building my idea digitally, I constructed it physically and it was a very gratifying feeling to see the finished product. I found myself leaning towards more hands-on mediums and approaching self directed assignments with three-dimensional concepts. Surrealism intrigues me and I have incorporated that movement into my art style over the years with a desire of designing and creating on a larger scale. When I came across architect Frank Gehry, it fascinated me to see that he integrates both into his work and this prompted me to look into the architectural field. I admire that it not only focuses on the design, build and appearance of buildings, but brings the opportunity to be able to create better spaces for society. As I traveled through Italy and Greece touring various spots, I became captivated by the elaborate ornamentals and prominent use of domes in baroque and byzantine styled buildings. The decorative exteriors and interiors caught my attention as it contrasts from the architecture in North America. I am eager to become familiarized and experience more architectonics and this exposure to different styles of architecture has only grown my admiration for this occupation. I was introduced to architect Kai Mah, a professor at Laurentian University, who encouraged the idea of applying to their BAS program. I visited the campus late September and I was honoured to attend a teaching from the Elder, Art Petahtegoose. His integration of the environment into the teaching was eye-opening as he taught in the wigwam and covered topics surrounding how we evolve and grow as individuals and as a society. Watching the students form interactive experiences with natural building materials was inviting and I saw myself fitting in with that kind of environment. The BAS program at McEwen School of Architecture can support and invigorate my visions of design.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.

Ashleigh Leung

A Dancers’ Meal Plasticine 21 x 6.5 x 8” 2021

This visual statement is about eating disorders surrounding dancers in the dance industry. The stereotypical expectation for dancers to look a certain way and maintain a thin physique, leaves dancers refusing to eat in order to lose weight. My intention was to bring awareness to this issue and show that to be a healthy and athletic dancer, you must eat well to be strong. I was inspired by Tim Noble and Sue Webster, a pair of artists that create art through projecting light at their sculptures. I like their concept of having an abstract shape protrude a uniformed figure.

I intentionally made the sculpture abstract in a way that viewers would not be able to tell what the piece is about without the shadow.

Arms and a head were not added to symbolize the fear of eating and to make the silhouette more mannequin-like. Mannequins are known to have a perfect body which correlates to how dancers strive to have a perfect body.

My process of building and putting the sculpture together.

Hive Popsicle Sticks 19 x 16.5 x 10” 2022

I built this structure for a technological design course using hot glue and 636 popsicle sticks. It is a multifunctional piece of furniture as it can be used as a stool, in addition to a stump lamp. Proven how sturdy bee hives are, the hexagonal shape was incorporated. The wide base allows the stool to support up to 70 kg.

I drew an orthographic drawing prior to building.

The New Normal Pencil Crayon 16 x 20” 2021

The start of this epidemic left everyone running to the stores to stock up on basic necessities, such as toilet paper rolls. It was a time where many people did not believe that face masks would necessarily work either. I took inspiration from this and created a piece where they morphed together. One was what we thought we needed the most, to the one we should have worried about supplying ourselves with more. This new way of living involved both, the two objects that correspond to the word pandemic.

Above are my thumbnail sketches as I tried to figure out how I wanted the composition to be. I wanted the piece to have flow and rhythm, as if the cycle was in motion.

My process of creating this piece.

Crushed Pencil Crayon 14 x 8.5” 2021

I find that subjects that have more folds and shadows, are more interesting to draw. Unlike the typical can that is crushed from the sides, I chose to draw one that resembled being stomped on.

I can relate this type of action to the feeling. Knowing that I will not be able to have a proper last year in high school crushes me.

Transparent Pencil 8.5 x 11” 2021

My art teacher at the time had given us a prompt, draw your house but as if the walls were transparent. I liked this prompt as it gave me a new perspective to observe a structure from, the exterior as well as the interior.

Kick!

Pencil 4.7 x 7.1” 2021

Referencing a photo I took of my younger sister, I played around with depth and angles. This drawing challenged my concept of proportions as one foot is noticeably larger since it is closer to the camera.

Scaffolding Pen 14 x 8.5” 2021

This is the view from an apartment in downtown Toronto.

The building they were constructing blocked what would have been a nicer view without it. I drew what I could see and had fun adding in the details of the bare building.

Steading Watercolour 11 x 15” 2021

During this painting, I experimented with scraping. I used the corner of an old credit card and scraped the paper creating texture in the wood panels on both buildings.

Silo Watercolour 11 x 15” 2021

This is a more traditional painting done in watercolour. I like how I used the base of the paper as the highlights, it illustrates how bright the sun is in the image. I also used the scraping technique on the silo and the barn.

Disorientation Gouache 12 x 16” 2022

This piece is portraying the effects of dementia. I integrated the five senses as this disease alters the patient into an unstable condition. My grandma influenced the theme of this painting as she started showing early signs of dementia.

While educating myself more around this illness, it sparked this piece.

T U M B N A I L

P R O C

S K E T C H E S

E S S

Autumn Foliage Oil Pastel 16 x 20” 2021

Fall has always been my favourite season. During the time that I created this piece, the leaves had started to change colours and it looked absolutely beautiful. I like the texture that comes with using oil pastels and the vibrancy as well. It seems as though there is movement to the stream.

In Need of a Modern Day Miracle Mixed Media 16 x 20” 2022

This mixed media piece is a modernized rendition of Raising of Lazarus (after Rembrandt) by van Gogh using oil pastels and paper. The story behind the original painting is about Lazarus’ sisters demanding Jesus to come and heal Lazarus as he was dying. After his death, Jesus arrived several days at his tomb and resurrected him. The message behind this miracle speaks about how our difficult times will be dealt with at the proper time and we must entrust ourselves in believing that we can get through our hardships. In present day times, Jesus symbolizes many healthcare workers that have been non-stop working and caring for patients in need.

The original painting: Raising of Lazarus (after Rembrandt). 1890. Canvas. 19 ¼ x 24 ¾ “. Rijksmuseum Vincent van Gogh, Amsterdam

My process of putting the collage together after finishing the oil pastel.

Burnt Out Digital 11” x 8” 2021

Smart watches can pick up so many details about us such as heart rate and our step count, so what if our watches could alert us when we are experiencing burnout? Referencing my own hand, I created this digital piece on my iPad. Due to many forms of social interaction switching to online platforms, student burnout has been happening more frequently. Many of us do not realize that it is happening to us and sometimes a reminder to take a break is beneficial.

Fever Jazz Dance 2021

https://youtu.be/i6YmMvADZ64

This jazz solo is the last dance I ever performed before my studio closed its doors late June, due to COVID. I feel my strongest, powerful, and most fearless self whenever I perform. While we could not film on a real stage, I still felt and expressed all those emotions. I have been committed to competitive dance since Grade 1, and my passion has only grown since then. Being onstage gives me a type of satisfaction that is addicting.

References Stephan Yau syau0105@gmail.com Alexandra Bhatia alexandra.bhatia@gapps.yrdsb.ca