Leslie Drysdale
Les Drysdale - Artist Biography
Leslie Drysdale was born in Hamilton Ontario in 1961. He graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Guelph in 1985 specializing in sculpture. Drysdale's sculptures explore herculean themes, delving often into the realm of Greek mythology. Following an international competition held by the Serbian Orthodox Church of Niagara Falls and The Niagara Parks Commission, he was commissioned to create the Monument to Nikola Tesla, the inventor of AC electricity and designer of the first hydro electric plant. The sculpture is located in Victoria Park overlooking Niagara Falls. His most recent commission is for the Town of Fort Erie, a monument dedicated to the Underground Railroad and those that escaped slavery in the mid 19th century. His public commissions can be seen at Toronto Police Headquarters, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, McMaster Teaching Hospital, St. Pauls Parish in Burlington, St. Peters School, Barrie, and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Queens Park. The fountain sculpture of Augustus Jones Chief surveyor of the Niagara Peninsula can be seen in the Town Square of Stoney Creek. His sculptures have been shown in galleries across the country and can be found in private collections in Europe, the US and Canada.
Artist Specialization: Figurative sculpture in bronze - “In my work I have tried to adhere to these principles and create works that do have a life of their own which can arouse intensely impassioned reactions from viewers. Most of my work is based on mythical themes, which I feel are timeless ideals that speak about the human condition, our strengths and indestructible spirit and yet our vulnerabilities and morality. My approach to each work is an intuitive one, reacting to the natural thrusts and stresses of the figure, interlacing textured forms with elegant curves and planes of figure and drapery. The result is an overall dynamic rhythm between anatomical reality, texture and form, creating a dramatic and powerful sculpture.”
