Australian Women Artists

The podcast

Ep. 24 Leila Jeffreys

Leila Jeffreys is a distinguished contemporary artist renowned for her captivating photographs, moving image works, and installations that primarily feature birds.

Leila moved to Australia from PNG and pursued formal training in photography which helped her create her unique approach...to animal portraiture.

Her extraordinary photographs were loved by the public and she gained international recognition and featured alongside the world's most respected photographers as part of Civilisation: The Way We Live Now, a 2023 exhibition at London's Saatchi Gallery.

We talked about her early days as a photographer for Rolling Stone and how she never felt like she could get what she really wanted from the photos she took of people. And then a lightbulb moment when she followed her instincts and started photographing birds. But in a way no one had before – as portraits taken in studios.

The resulting photographs are breathtaking. She loved photographing birds of prey. They seemed to exude a confidence (even arrogance!) that comes with being at the top of the tree. Have a look at the last couple of photos in the insta carousel to see what she means.

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen.

Images:

1. LJ supplied by artist. Image by Cameron Bloom

2. Celery, 2019 Giclée print on archival fine art paper
112 x 89 cm Series: High Society

3. Redmond Red-Capped Robin, 2015 Giclée print on archival fine art paper
52 x 61 cm Series: Songbirds

4. Topper – burrowing owl. 2014, Giclée print on archival fine art paper

91x72

5. Banded Stilt egg, 2024 Giclée print on archival fine art paper
110 x 86 cm Series: Stillness

6. Red-head, 2022, Giclée print on archival fine art paper
110 x 71 cm140 x 90 cm Series: The wound is the place where the light enters

7. Burnt Branch, 2022, Giclée print on archival fine art paper
86 x 110 cm Series: The wound is the place where the light enters

8. Soren, Wedge-tailed Eagle 2014, fine art inkjet print on archival cotton rag paper
44 x 35 inches Series: Prey

9. Darcy Brown Falcon 2014, fine art inkjet print on archival cotton rag paper
44 x 35 inches Series: Prey