Leigh Schneider

Overview of images

‘Beyond the Shadows,’ ignites vision for transformation and growth – for a future beyond the shadows of current circumstances. A selection of the artist’s works on loss, isolation and depression invites the viewer to look deeper into the symbolism of the images, which point at a way forward, offering comfort and acceptance. An ethereal space that allows us to dive into our memories and unconsciousness, processing the demons from the past.

Messengers

The series Messengers is about being in a dark place and the ‘Messengers’ we carry with us—our personal patrons of the future. Always there, not always acknowledged.

The three images tell the full story. ‘Through the Black’ shows a character in the darkness, presented with a choice: Acknowledge her ‘Messenger’ and reach toward the light (‘Rouse’), or stay in it.

The moth represents this ‘Messenger.’ Creatures that seek light and undergo transformation, moths can represent that one thought (a loved one, an experience not yet had, etc) that brings us back to life.

Rouse. There are moments in our darkest places, when we remember what we live for and feel that pull back into life. It’s those moments and thoughts that save us—acting as ‘Messengers’—reminding us that we have a future, as hard as it may feel to reach toward.

 Through The Black. She stepped out of the world and into the black. She sat there, in the emptiness. Nothing remained, not even the wind had crossed over with her. There was just darkness—and some of herself; not even her body really, just her—whatever that was. The void was most of her, as the nothingness took over her body, wherever that was. Not many of her thoughts remained, nor memories or plans. Time itself didn’t exist there, in the most nothing of places. And when she was the most absolute form of alone and little of her remained connected to the earth or anything in it, through the black, her ‘Messenger’ came…

Recluse. Even in the darkness, the ‘Messenger’ is ever present and waiting to be found.

Of the Light I & II

“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.” – Saint Paul

This diptych is a reminder of the light we carry; even in the darkest of times and places. The moths symbolise the pull of that light and the potential for transformation we all contain.

Helping Hand I & II

These ‘Helping Hands’ reach into the darkness. Moth ‘Messengers’ are drawn to the light and remind us of the transformation that is possible.

 Prey

The bird of prey sits grounded, the clouds in her skin a reminder of the air—her freedom, her power, her home.

The hunter turned prey, gathers her strength again.

 Gone to Seed

When all seems lost, look closely, there are seeds of potential in plain sight…

Wildflowers don’t die. They turn to seed; containing all they need to start again. Such a reflection of us as humans – containing so much inbuilt potential; able to start over, even when it seems all is lost.

This is for anyone who feels lost. Maybe something has gone to seed like the wildflowers. Countless possibilities might spring up in a new season.

 Pupae

What is love?

‘Pupa,’ is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation between immaturity and maturity.

We experience many transformations. Maybe we change so much in our lives, that we might change ourselves out of our relationships. But do we we give up too easily? What if we undergo transformations together – allowing for one another, making it not about ourselves as individuals, but about the best for the other?

That’s love. It may be painful and uncomfortable; we can emerge together intact.

 Hatchling

Growth often occurs in darkness, but we see it in the light.

This character has newly undergone transformation. Baby wings have begun to spring from her back, as the plaster and bandages that helped her heal, fall away.

New strength and resolve; discover an unfamiliar world.