Leigh Blanchard: "Meet Me Underwater"
April 23 - May 24, 2026
Opening Reception: April 25, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Artist Talk: Sunday, May 10, 2026, 4:40 PM
440 Gallery is pleased to present Meet Me Underwater, a solo exhibition of photographs and mixed-media images by Leigh Blanchard. Diagnosed as Autistic in 2024, Blanchard created this work in response to her diagnostic journey, combining photography and fiber elements to evoke both comfort and unease. While the abstract compositions initially appear gentle and romantic, closer inspection reveals tension beneath the surface. Meet Me Underwater marks Blanchard’s fifth solo exhibition at 440 Gallery.
Blanchard says, “It’s been a strange time to receive my autism diagnosis. After taking time to process, I found an Autistic community where I felt understood, only to see autism suddenly flooded with misinformation in the news. The experience has been disorienting—feeling liberated as I reinterpret myself and my past, while also facing fear and misunderstanding.”
Leigh Blanchard is an Autistic, Brooklyn-based artist working in photography and mixed media. Her work explores the mechanics of perception while incorporating image-making processes that are not traditionally considered photographic, including collage, scanography, and sewing. The abstract images that result from her process-based technique encourage viewers to rethink their preconceived notions of what a photograph can look like.
Blanchard was born in Chicago, Illinois, and received her BFA in Photography from Parsons The New School for Design in New York. Her work has been featured in exhibitions and collections across New York City, Chicago, and Berlin. In early 2026, Blanchard’s work was acquired and installed in the newly renovated Centurion Lounge at JFK Airport.