Sanibel artist, Leila Walker amazes us with the depth of feeling in her work that belies her youth. We see additional elements in her figures that point to her gifts as an artist – her work is thoughtful, sensitive, imaginative and unique.

Walker’s wrapped wire sculptures are power packed with materials and symbolism.  Walker sews, weaves and wraps her pieces with hemp, wire and sting, which leave them light but sturdy.  It also allows space for her to insert a hand written poem on canvas and different bits – dried flowers, pebbles, a broken mirror – clues to the depth of feelings she explores.  And these are not feelings about young love or break-ups, but universal emotions of loss, betrayal, acceptance.  We relate and respond.  Interestingly, scale does not seem to impede the effectiveness of her work.  Her small figures are as powerful as the large; the large as sensitive as the small.  All are created with the same intensity, attention to detail and TLC, a phrase Walker uses when explaining her process. 

As she says about her work

Walker attended Edison College, in Fort Myers, Florida and received a degree in sculpture and art history from Florida International University in Miami in 2009.  She has won several awards in her short career, which include: