On the “City Lights” series “Speaking of Art,” local artists share insights into their influences, processes and experiences in town. This edition features mixed media artist Leah Abucayan AKA Hella Leah.
“I’m a graphic designer at CNN by day and when I’m not designing, I’m still designing,” Abucayan said. “I dabble in all sorts of forms, from murals to illustrations, but I’m most known for being a tape artist.”
Hella Leah creates sculptures and portraits using various colors of tape, usually duct tape, and layering them to create a picture.
As a child, Abucayan’s dad was in the Air Force, and she was inspired by the art scenes witnessed while living in Germany and traveling through Europe. Her specific tape art journey began at about age 11 when she started her own business crafting purses, bags and wallets out of duct tape.
“I made a few for the Black Eyed Peas back in the day,” Abucayan said. “But now I just focus on the portrait and the design aspect and using tape to be my favorite main art medium…”
