CALLUM VAN LEEUWEN works mainly with pastels and oil paints, but also sculpts.
My artworks celebrate the unusual characters I encounter everyday. They best express my curiosity about the human condition - especially the quirky and eccentric among us.
The stories behind Callum's subjects are as interesting as the works themselves. For example, the first work presented here is a portrait of a guy Callum saw on a YouTube video at a Minecraft convention. He was suggesting, in the sweetest, meekest way, that the Minecraft creators consider adding ‘birds that sing at dawn’ to the program. The YouTube clip is a bit of a mocking compilation of him asking for this. For me it was the man's genuine sweetness that inspired me to paint this enigmatic portrait - a tribute to counter the YouTube parody of him. And guess what? Minecraft have since added birds to the program!
Despite their quirkiness, Callum’s artworks convey a distinct reverence and warm sense of humour.
Callum has just completed an advanced diploma of Visual Art and wants to teach. He wants to help other young people experience the joy of a creative practice and help them discover how powerful creative expression can be as a communication tool.
Photos: Tiffaney Bishop