PADDY LEUNG
Artist, Educator & Cultural Worker
I create participatory art projects and learning experiences that centre care, equity, and collective storytelling. My practice brings together art, education, and community engagement to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, racialized youth, and intergenerational connections.
Paddy Leung is a Toronto-based artist and arts educator working at the intersection of community care, cultural production, and social justice.
Their practice is rooted in collaboration, accessibility, and relationship-building, with a strong focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, youth engagement, and public participation.
Through workshops, exhibitions, and large-scale community projects, Leung creates spaces where people can connect, share knowledge, and imagine more caring futures together. Their work has been presented in galleries, schools, and public spaces in partnership with arts organizations, school boards, and community groups.
Available for Projects, Workshops & Commissions — across Canada & Internationally.
AGO Next | Paddy Cake
︎ AGO Next, Art Gallery of Ontario
︎ Commission Sculpture, Lead Artist Facilitator
︎ Toronto, ON
︎ September 2019
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of AGO Next—a donor membership program for philanthropists in their 20s and 30s that fosters meaningful engagement with art at the AGO—Paddy Leung was commissioned to create a life-sized, interactive birthday cake for members to decorate, pose inside, and celebrate together.
The temporary sculpture was constructed from cardboard and recycled materials, including paper towel rolls for candles, egg carton flowers, and toilet paper rolls, emphasizing upcycling and sustainable art-making. Throughout the event, participants were invited to add decorations using craft materials, contributing their own creative touches to the growing cake.
Leung facilitated and participated in the decoration process, attaching elements as members collaborated in real time. The oversized scale of the sculpture transformed it into an immersive environment, inviting participants to step inside, take photos, and engage with the artwork in a playful, hands-on way.
This project combined material experimentation, community participation, and the universal joy of cake, highlighting how interactive, upcycled sculpture can foster connection and celebration. It reflects Leung’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, care-driven art experiences that invite collaboration, play, and shared joy.
