Leyna Andren

Leyna Andren is an insightful 24 year old woman whose dreams and endeavors are as colossal and colorful as the ever changing sky. Since graduating college, she has been on a wild goose chase to find who she truly is as an artist. Straying away from the conventional, Leyna has always been compelled to go in the opposite direction of the crowd. Growing up and living her entire life in the shore towns of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, Leyna has grown a deep connection and appreciation with and for the sea. This has fueled her inspiration for most things in life. Her core beliefs are centered on a glass half full mentality, and she is a firm believer that there is not only beauty in the smallest of things, but also in chaos and disaster.

   Ms Andren submitted nine entries for her exhibit. They obviously required a great deal of technical skill. All have beach or shore themes as their inspiration, and Ms. Andersen’s choice of mediums is unique.

“Crab,” a dark blue outlined submission is interesting. One is left puzzled as to how the work was executed, but there is too much going on in the piece to justly appreciate the skill that was required. The image is of a crab outlined in blue yarn. There is no space in the work for one to breath. One is held breathless as they are drawn to the body of the work but one is only confused the more time they spend with the piece.

K 3 NJ is a piece that evokes a sense of appreciation for life in the Garden State. A heart, neatly constructed at the location of Trenton required a degree of technical skill. In all of her submitted work, Ms. Andersen demonstrates a high degree of technical ability, but the simplicity of K 3 NJ is particularly intriguing. The title of the piece remains a mystery. I have difficulty interpreting the title, K3 NJ as it relates to the actual work. It is appealing to the senses. But I do not know what Ms Andren means by K 3 NJ.

   “Octopus,” an abstract construction, required great imagination. It stirs the senses, but like all of Ms. Andren’s work, it present’s the viewer with a complex image to interpret. It is constructed of black yarn adumbrating the image of cephalopod mollusk. It also shares Ms. Andrean’s proclivity for the complex. It somehow crowds it’s wooden backdrop.

  Leyna Andrean is immensely talented. Her choice of medium demonstrates great creativity. Her technical ability is immeasurable. We are pleased to have had the oppourtunity to showcase her work.