Photograph by Jocelyn Reynolds
Paddy Leung is a genderqueer, neurodivergent, second-generation, Canadian Chinese artist, educator, and cultural worker. Working with drawing and painting, mixed media, sculpture, and installation. Paddy works from a unique perspective of strength-based, community change, experimental art forms, and ideas through an activist lens to support various communities with diverse life experiences and navigating multiple intersections of identities.
Paddy’s socially engaged art-based practice aims to strengthen the communities with a collaborative approach rooted and grounded by mutual respect, empathy, and compassion for the self and others. They design projects and host community events to engage people with the creative process while sharing their experience of art as a tool for growth and positive change, both personal and collective. Paddy’s practice has focused largely on providing inclusive and accessible, primarily for young people with lived experience on the margins. Working with the Art Gallery of Ontario, VIBE Arts, The 519, North York Arts, Xpace Cultural Center, and Design Exchange, among others, Paddy is helping to transform the landscape of Toronto’s community arts scene.
Interested in working together?
Paddy Leung combines their arts and craft practices, integrating various materials and methods in their sculptures, installations, and other art forms. Their work continues to carry on traditions of community collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Available for short & long-term contracts and freelance. Reach me at leung.paddy@gmail.com
Services
Commission work - private & public art
Community and event management & production
Program design & development
Educator, facilitator & mentor
Art administration, Art consultant
Paddy’s socially engaged art-based practice aims to strengthen the communities with a collaborative approach rooted and grounded by mutual respect, empathy, and compassion for the self and others. They design projects and host community events to engage people with the creative process while sharing their experience of art as a tool for growth and positive change, both personal and collective. Paddy’s practice has focused largely on providing inclusive and accessible, primarily for young people with lived experience on the margins. Working with the Art Gallery of Ontario, VIBE Arts, The 519, North York Arts, Xpace Cultural Center, and Design Exchange, among others, Paddy is helping to transform the landscape of Toronto’s community arts scene.
Interested in working together?
Paddy Leung combines their arts and craft practices, integrating various materials and methods in their sculptures, installations, and other art forms. Their work continues to carry on traditions of community collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Available for short & long-term contracts and freelance. Reach me at leung.paddy@gmail.com
Services
Commission work - private & public art
Community and event management & production
Program design & development
Educator, facilitator & mentor
Art administration, Art consultant
Paddy Leung
(They/Them)Artist, Educator, Community Leader
B. 1988, Toronto, ON
Residence in Toronto, ON
PRINT PDF CV
Selected Community- Engaged Art Program
2023 – Seniors Program & Special Exhibition, TIFF Bell Lightbox: Silver Screening, Food For Thought, Toronto, ON
2023 – Virtual Seniors Program & Special Exhibition, Ottawa Art Gallery | Galerie d’art d’Ottawa: Lantern Workshop, Ottawa, ON
2022 – Special Event – The 519: Youth Pride, Toronto, ON
2022 – Public Art Youth Program, North York Arts, Around Art & Land, Toronto, ON
2022 – Hybrid Public Art Program & Public Art Commission, STEPS Public Art & Chinatown BIA: Yue Moon 完滿: Tiger With Wings 如虎添翼, Toronto, ON
2021 – Intergenerational Program & Special Exhibition, Visual Arts of Mississauga, Food For Thought, Toronto, ON
2021 – Hybrid Program & Public Art Program, The Bentway: Community Incubation Program, Kindness Rocks, Toronto, ON
2021 – Family Program, Uma Nota Music and Production, MIXTO Festival, Toronto, ON
2021 – Virtual Program, VIBE Arts: Reduce, Reused, Remake, Toronto, ON
2021 – Multimedia Public Art Program & Public Art Commission, STEPS Public Art & Chinatown BIA: 完滿 (Yue Moon II), Toronto, ON
2021 – Virtual Program, VIBE Arts: Mini PUFF CLUB, The 519, Toronto, ON
2021 – Virtual Program, Huawei Technologies Canada Co., Ltd: Back 2 School Workshop, Kanata, ON
2021 – Virtual Program, Huawei Technologies Canada Co., Ltd: Paper Lantern Workshop, Windsor, ON
2020 – Virtual Program, VIBE Arts: PUFF Club, Humber Boys & Girls Club, Toronto ON
2020 – Virtual Program, Huawei Technologies Canada Co., Ltd: Halloween Mask Making Workshop, Markham, ON
2020 – Public Art Program & Public Art Commission, STEPS Public Art & Chinatown BIA: 完滿 (Yue Moon), Toronto, ON
2019 – Public Art Program, VIBE Arts: Community Public Art Installation, Albion Toronto Public Library, Toronto, ON
2019 – Public Art Program, VIBE Arts: Community Drawing Mural, Zion Schoolhouse, Toronto, ON
2019 – City of Craft | Craft Lab: Kaleido Paper Arts, The Theater Centre, Toronto, ON
2019 – Tie Dye Workshop, Sid Lee, Toronto, ON
2019 – Get School’d: Stricker Party, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, ON
2019 – VIBE Arts: Upcycle Fashion Program, Emily Carr Public School, Toronto, ON
2019 – VIBE Arts: Drawing Program, Lawrence Heights Middle School, Toronto, ON
2019 – VIBE Arts: Shadow Puppets, Zion Schoolhouse, Toronto, ON
2018 – Free After Three: DIY Days, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2018 – Midsummer Masquerade, Xpace Cultural Centre, Toronto, ON
2017 – City of Craft | Craft Lab: The Little Tree, The Theater Centre, Toronto, ON
2017 – Zine Production & Exchange Program: Sticker Party, Paperhouse Studio, Toronto, ON
2017 – Works For Change | This Art Works!: Truth Bombs, Madeleine Co., Gardiner Museum, Toronto, ON
2017 – Free After Three: DIY Days, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2017 – Drake Hotel & Field Trip Festival: Pinwheels & Paper Spinners, Toronto, ON
2017 – Action Potential Lab & Maker Festival: Bubble Experiment, Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, ON
2017 – DX Kid’s Day: Sticker Making & Dazzle Light Switch Plate, Design Exchange, Toronto, ON
2016 – AGO Family Sundays: Enchanted Winter Garden, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2016 – AGO Free After Three: DIY Days, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2016 – The Art of Darkness II: Stickery Party, Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, ON
2016 – Get School’d: Bath Bombs, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, ON
2016 – Paperhouse Studio | ZIPE: Sticker Party, Toronto Art Bookfair, Toronto, ON
2016 – City of Craft | Craft Lab: Sticker Party, The Theater Centre, Toronto, ON
2015 – Paperhouse Studio: DIY Kite Workshop, Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, ON
2015 – Free After Three: DIY Days, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2014 – Community-Engaged Arts, AGO First Thursday: Suzy Lake Retrospect Exhibit, Toronto, ON
Selected Exhibitions & Commissions
2023 – Youth Art Show – The 519: Youth Working Group, Forum For Change, Toronto, ON
2022 – Featured Exhibition, Yue Moon 完滿: Tiger With Wings 如虎添翼, DesignTO, Toronto, ON
2020 – Featured Exhibition, Take Care, Whippersnapper Gallery, Toronto, ON
2020 – Commercial Commission, The Butterfly Effect, BIG on Bloor Festival, Toronto, ON
2019 – Community-Engaged Arts, AGO Next, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2018 – Community-Engaged Arts, XYZine, Toronto Art Book Fair, Cedarbrae Library, Toronto, ON
2018 – Group Show, side piece, Project Gallery Studios, Toronto, ON
2018 – Private Commission, New Ho Queen: Pocky Box, The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON
2018 – Commercial Commission, Cruising Utopia Superbutch Jukebox, The Garrison, Toronto, ON
2018 – Commercial Commission, Type Books, Toronto, ON
2017 – Commercial Commission, Halloween Family Monster Bash, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2017 – Public Art Commission, Nuit Blanche: Garden Tunnel, The Drake Hotel, Toronto, ON
2017 – Commercial Commission, The Drake Catering Launch Party, The Drake Hotel, Toronto, ON
2017 – Public Art Commission, New Sky, Feature Installation Artist, BIG on Bloor, Toronto, ON
2016 – Commercial Commission, New Year’s Eve: Downton Abbey, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, ON
2016 – Commercial Commission, Halloween Extravaganza Party, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, ON
2016 – Featured Exhibition, Side Street: Dancing with Dragons, The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON
2016 – Group Show, That’s So Gay (7th year): Come Together, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, ON
2015 – Community-Engaged Installation, AGO’s Youth Council, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
2015 – Commercial Commission, Window Display, Type Books, Toronto, ON
2015 – Group Collaboration, NEXNE Festival, Hermann & Audrey, Toronto, ON
2015 – Commercial Commission, Skyline Esplanade Corporation & Kim Graham & Associates, Toronto, ON
2015 – Commercial Commission, R.A.W. Designs & Kim Graham & Associates, Toronto, ON
2014 – Commercial Commission, Sovereign State: State Good Launch Party, Toronto, ON
2014 – Commercial Commission, City of Craft, The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON
2014 – Window Display, King Barber, Cultural Hotspot, Toronto, ON
Selected Press & Multimedia
2022 – Media Featured, A rundown of Toronto’s Lunar New Year celebrations, Breakfast Television
2022 – Website Interview, This lantern exhibit in Toronto with brighten your Lunar New Year, Daily Hive
2022 – Website Interview, Toronto Chinatown Exhibit ‘Yue Moon’ Illuminates Culture and Community, Art Helps
2022 – Website Featured, Asian communities to celebrate Year of Tiger with artwork, CBC News
2022 – Website Featured, Yue Moon 完滿: Tiger With Wings 如虎添翼, AGO Insider
2021 – Digital Content, Mini Paper Lantern with PUFF Paddy, CBC Arts
2020 – Digital Content, WEE Asian Arts: Coffee Filter Arts, Reel Asian
2020 – Digital Content, VIBE Arts: Puffy the Clown Mask, The 519
2020 – Website Interview, Q&A with PUFF Paddy, Whippersnapper Gallery
2019 – VIBE Arts Annual Report: Spotlight Artist
2018 – Website Interview, Art Matters Blog, Art Gallery of Ontario
2017 – Published Interview, LSTW Magazine, Issue #2, Featured Artist’s Workspace
2017 – Online Article, Now Magazine, A public art manifesto for Toronto by Chris Rattan
2017 – Digital Content , CBC Online Series presents This Art Works! – DIY with Paddy
2016 – Website Interview, Side Streets presents Dancing with Dragons by Paddy Leung
Awards & Grants
2021 – Ontario Art Council: Artist in Community and Schools
2020 – Ontario Art Council: Artist in Community and Schools
2020 – Toronto Art Council: Open Door
2020 – Toronto Art Council: COVID-19 Response Fund
2015 – Neighborhood Art Network BMO Seeds Fund
Artist Talks & Panels
2022 – Virtual Program, PRIDE Month Celebration: Guest Artist Host – Milliken Mills High School, Markham, ON
2021 – Virtual Program, Asian Heritage Month: Artist Talk – Louise Arbour Secondary School, Mississauga, ON
2021 – Virtual Program, STEPS Public Art & REEL Asian: CreateSpace – 完滿 (Yue Moon II)
2021 – Virtual Program, That So Gay (11th year): Eleventeen - Artist Talk & Art Workshop
2020 – Virtual Program, CreateSpace Artist Workshops: PUFF Studio – Artist Talk & Art Workshop
2020 – Virtual Program, Project40: Diasporasian Future II – Artist Talk & Workshop
2016 – Artist Talk, That’s So Gay (7th year): Come Together, Toronto, ON
Professional Affiliations
2023 – Guest Facilitator: Entrepreneurship & Professional Skills, Associated Designers of Canada, Toronto, ON
2023 – Artist Mentor in Residence Program, VIBE Arts: LaunchPAD II, Toronto, ON
2022 – Child & Youth Facilitator, The 519, Toronto, ON
2022 – Selection Committee, StreetARToronto Partnership Program Advisory Panel, Toronto, ON
2022 – Artist Mentor in Residence Program, VIBE Arts: ScotiaRISE, Toronto, ON
2022 – Mentor in Residence Program, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Toronto, ON
2021 – Mentor in Residence Program, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Toronto, ON
2021 – Artist Mentor in Residence Program, VIBE Arts: LaunchPAD, Toronto, ON
2021 – Guest Facilitator, Professional Development: Virtual Visual Workshop, VIBE Arts, Toronto, ON
2021 – Guest Facilitator, Workman Arts: Creativity Meets Business with Paddy Leung, Toronto, ON
2020 – Selection Committee, The City of Mississauga: Pride Public Art, Mississauga, ON
2019 – Artist Residency, VIBE Arts: Zion Schoolhouse, Toronto, ON
2019 – Artist Mentor in Residence Program, VIBE Arts: Desire Lines, Toronto, ON
2017 – Guest Host, January Community Meal: Lunar New Year, The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON