Mike Leahy’s exhibition at Swansea MAD showcases his contemporary abstract work. This exhibit is a small selection of his latest creations, but the bright colors and unique shapes that his art features are sure to be focal points of any room.

Mike has been painting since 1985, but it wasn’t until 2010 that he dusted off his paint box and brushes and started again. He began with testing himself out on some cardboard boxes, but with the onset of the pandemic and the beginning of lockdown, he purchased some canvases and began creating abstract designs that he loved. Since then, he has moved from a small studio in his garden to a larger and brighter one with Elysium, where he now spends much of his time.

What sets Mike’s art apart is that he doesn’t look for hidden motivation, signs or meaning. His paintings are created for pure enjoyment and are designed to lift your spirit. He doesn’t linger on too much detail, believing that paintings should leave much to the imagination. For Mike, paintings are created on a broader canvas, literally, and allow the viewer to use their mind and imagination to fill in the gaps.

Mike is self-taught, apart from a short six-week painting course in 1987, but he has studied contemporary works and enjoys different styles and techniques. He prefers large canvases and bold primary colours, which he says allow him to express his thoughts and ideas in a broader way. The energy and dynamic strokes in each abstract work light up a room and bring the viewer’s imagination alive. If you look carefully into his work, you may see distinctive unintentional forms, but he encourages the viewer to relax and let their mind break free.

In summary, Mike Leahy’s modern art exhibition at Swansea MAD showcases a small selection of his contemporary abstract work, featuring bright colors and unique shapes that are sure to be focal points of any room. His art is created for pure enjoyment and is designed to lift your spirit, leaving much to the viewer’s imagination. Mike’s self-taught approach and preference for large canvases and bold primary colors make for a unique and vibrant exhibition that can be admired at Swansea MAD office until 6th June 2023. 

If you would be interested in displaying your art at Swansea MAD, please email sam@madswansea.com