Lei Davis

I was looking for a particular way to show the images of Dark Sky Deep Sea - to allow myself and viewers to really go in and stay with the images . Then I remembered myself as a child, playing with a stereoscopic toy at my grandmother's house. In those moments, it was just me, the images in front of me, and my imagination. Now, using the images of Dark Sky Deep Sea, I would like to imagine that the act of looking through the viewer is similar to putting on a snorkel mask or space binoculars as you dive and immerse yourself in a surreal world. The object comes with 2 image réels (7  photos in each reel) from two series - Swallowed and Close Encounters. It comes with the black vintage 1950s Sawyer's Viewmaster Bakelite Model C where images appear in 3D. Everything is enclosed in a handmade box designed and handmade by myself. Edition of 8, signed and numbered. PM for price and details. Playfully dedicated to my son, Adrien.

"From the void" is a handmade object in the form of a dodecahedron - a 3D figure that's been said to represent the shape of the universe. 7 photos and 5 collage prints are placed on its 12 pentagon faces (4 outside and 8 inside). It can be fully closed, completely opened as a flat montage, or partially opened in various configurations making it a dynamic object you can play with. Size 19x19x16 cm Edition of 12 The first 6 editions are available at my exhibit from 4-24 July 2022 at 38 Rue du 4 Septembre, Arles. It can also be ordered online by private message. PM for price and details.

Swallowed (Artist's Book) Slivers of silver murmurs from the deep Swirling, shimmering Calling.... The book object includes 7 fine art photos from my series "Swallowed", which was also made into a short animation film of the same name. It is designed as a leporello and is made with special black  “stardust” paper. As an object, it can be flipped like a storybook or hung vertically like a mini exhibit. A link to the film is found inside the book. All photos are printed in Hahnemühle fine art paper 308 gsm which gives a rich and velvety texture. The book and the prints are signed and numbered in a limited edition of 30. Last 3 copies of the book left, PM for price and details.

My analog collages from the series 'Blue clouds, yellow sky' is now on exhibit @laforetimaginaire from 15 May - 30 June 2026. 12 rue de la liberté Arles.v

From the series 'There is no blue without yellow'

From the series 'There is no blue without yellow'

From the series 'There is no blue without yellow'

Analog collage, from the series Under the Night Sky, 2026

Les champignons et moi, 2025 Analog collage on black stardust paper

Some analog collages from the series NATURALEZA, 2025 Available at La Forêt Imaginaire, 12 rue de la Liberté, Arles

If I had to choose a broad title for my work the past 7 years, it would be: "The imaginary world of little Lenlen". Lenlen being my childhood nickname. I've recently come to realize that the series Into the deep, Swallowed, Close Encounters, and From the void are her stories - Lenlen's. As a young highly sensitive child who grew up in an broken, unstable home with absent parents, she felt unsafe in the world - terrified of life's uncertainties, threatened by the unknown, and deeply affected by pain and suffering of others (reflecting her own). She sees the world in black and white - mostly dark with little specks of light. She always had hope, how little it seems. Reworking on the photos of my past projects, allowed me, the 40-year old me, to try to rewrite her story - my story. With gold and silver threads (and without any prior experience in embroidery), I "drew" on the photos and made them into collages - creating new narratives, new perspectives. Stich by stitch, I'm assuring the scared child in me that life is not only about darkness and despair, there's also ease and joy. And love. The project and exhibit itself was borne out of love and connection. The technical guidance and all the materials I used was given by the art & textile artist, Christine Millerin. A spontaneous and serendipitous turn of events where her kindness and generosity encouraged me to create again during a difficult time. Also, it's my first joint exhibit with the wonderful creator of @laforetimaginaire , my life partner, my rock. Creating art has always give me the most healing. Sharing it with others and making connections brings me a deep sense of comfort. My art saves me, again and again. Today is the last day of the exhibit and I would like to thank everyone who has seen the work, bought it, shared it, and/or supported it and most importantly, connected with me. Deeply grateful. *Some of the photo collages (unique pieces) are still available including the ones featured above. PM me, if interested.

I experimented with collage during COVID lockdown when I could not get out to take photos. With the natural materials I have collected and magazine cutouts, I imagined and created these works. The first 5 collages I made became the core work of the series From the void. For almost 3 years, I haven't made a finished collage until 2 weeks ago. I plan to continue making collages especially now that my 3-year old picks natural materials when we take walks and gives it to me (without me prompting him). After seeing me work recently, he now knows I use it for my collage work so he puts extra effort into it (today he picked up small dirty cone shells from a park in our neighborhood). "Pour ton collage, maman" Maybe someday soon, we will make a collage together! Deciding to let go and sell these collages is difficult for me, I have been very hesitant and wanted to keep it for myself but a friend said it's a way to make space for something new. I see it now. I would be happy to hand it over to someone who loves it as much as I do. And welcoming the opportunity to create more imaginary worlds, from the void. They are all still available for sale at my exhibit at 12 rue de la liberté and by PM.