Artist, Teacher, Curator, Writer. Born in England in 1945. Arrived in Australia in 1969 as a young art teacher, with a National Diploma in Design (NDD) London, and a Post Graduate Art Teacher’s Diploma (ATD) University of Liverpool. Lesley’s practice is driven predominately by a deep appreciation and respect for the Australian landscape.

Lesley’s publication, ‘Becoming Australian – an artist’s journey’, launched at her 50-year survey exhibition, is a visual precis of her evolution as an artist. This book also confirms her vast range of skills, her virtuosity and versatility both in technique and image-making, and with a constantly-shifting focus between abstract and representational elements to create both 2D and 3D works. As for her future practice, she states, “I cannot predict what I will be creating in a decade, next year or even next week. Past works are merely prologue – like a line in a poem or cadence in music”.

Outside the studio, Lesley has been involved in a number of sports. She represented Australia in Hockey in the early 1970’s and was the first woman to swim solo across the Rottnest Channel. She has been a life-member of the Rottnest Channel Swim Association for a number of years, and in 2018 was inducted into its Hall of Fame. She claims that the discipline required for competitive physical activity not only keeps her fit, able to withstand the ‘ups and downs’ of a creative life, but helps keep her grounded. She adds, “Being in the bush or the ocean is my ‘church’, where many of my artworks have been conceived.

Q & A:

What is the title and author of your favourite book?

Perfume by Patrick Suskind is, by no means my favourite book, but certainly my most memorable! It is a disturbing account in 18^th Century Europe of a psychopath’s life and journey to becoming the greatest perfumier in the world. With his unbelievable gift for different aromas, he would hunt down young virgins to ‘possess ‘their smell. At the time of reading this book I was on my own travelling from one small Italian village to another – a remarkably similar environment to the perfumier, which is probably why the book made such an impact.

What is your favourite song/band or musical genre?

As an Art student in London in the early 1960s I would frequently dance the night away with fellow art students on Eel Pie Island in the River Thames. It was the early days of the Rolling Stones with songs such as ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’. The old wooden hall was so crowded that we gals would hunt out a good-looking dude with broad shoulders to sit upon while we kept moving along with Mick Jagger’s gyrating and the rise and fall of the wooden floor.

What was your favourite toy as a kid?

As a child I cannot recall many toys. Born at the end of WW11 and the sixth child of seven, I suspect toys had seen better days before they were handed down to me. Our play was focused on creating cubbies - on the ground, up trees, even underground! - and decking them out with hand-made quilts and put-together furniture. However, I do recall one toy - a replica 40cmH x 80cmW double decker Red London Bus! Along with my siblings we took turns to sit astride ‘our very own form of transport’ either on the straight and narrow to the nearest park, or down hillsides covered in snow. It was exhilarating! I loved this bus.

What is my greatest accomplishment?

I would like to think it is yet to happen! In reality, it’s probably my consistent juggling and prioritising of commitments to lead a consistent, well-balanced and meaningful existence for myself, my family and close friends.

What is the biggest risk you ever took?

Risks – there have been many – but at the time of taking them I didn’t realise they were risks! Seeking new experiences and adventures is part of my daily mantra. It’s only now, in later life, that I realise risks were taken and that ‘Innocence was indeed a Blessing’.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

In my younger years I often dreamt I was flying. It was scary, but cool. I could pretend I was a bird, but could only imagine what they could see with their superior sight. With their eyes on the side, many species of birds can see both forwards and sideways. With superior visual acuity they also see more colours and can establish subtle differences between similar shades of colour, shades that humans cannot distinguish.