All becoming clear: Port Blandford artist creates portraits from Scotch tape
A captivating new art exhibit has arrived at Gallery 59 in Gander, N.L., that will make you see office supplies in a whole new light. The exhibit, titled (In)Visible, is the brainchild of visual artist Leslie Sasaki, who currently resides in Port Blandford. Using only Plexiglas, a boxcutter, and Scotch brand magic tape, Sasaki creates stunning portraits that delve into the concept of invisibility in society.
Each portrait in the exhibit is meticulously crafted by peeling strips of tape, with each layer adding depth and shade, much like a pencil drawing. Sasaki explains that the fragility and fugitive nature of the portraits reflect the way people often feel unseen or overlooked in the world. As viewers move through the space, the portraits subtly change in response to the lighting, mirroring the ever-shifting nature of human perception.
The project, which began almost two decades ago when Sasaki was a professor at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus, has evolved into a profound exploration of identity and visibility. It all started with a self-portrait made from tape, which Sasaki carried with him to each new office he occupied. In Hamilton, Ontario, he was inspired to expand the project into a full-fledged exhibit, incorporating not just images but also conversations with the subjects.
Sasaki believes that tape, with its dual roles of attachment and repair, serves as a poignant metaphor for the experience of being invisible. While creating the portraits may come easily to him, the true joy of the project lies in getting to know the individuals he immortalizes in tape. Each person has a story, he notes, emphasizing the everyday humanity that makes each portrait unique and compelling.
The exhibit at Gallery 59 features eight portraits, some from the original Hamilton exhibit and others created since Sasaki’s return to Newfoundland. Reflecting on the longevity of the project, Sasaki expresses his excitement at bringing his work full circle back to the province where it all began. Surrounded by art, including the iconic Ken Lockheed mural, Sasaki finds himself inspired and invigorated by the creative energy of his surroundings.
(In)Visible will be on display at Gallery 59 in the Gander Airport International Lounge until April 11, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Sasaki’s innovative and thought-provoking exploration of visibility and identity. Download the CBC News app for push alerts on this and other news stories from Newfoundland and Labrador. Subscribe to the daily headlines newsletter for more updates, and visit our landing page for additional content.
