Leroy Campbell has pursued his artistic vision for 20 years, seriously dedicating himself to creating art since 1984. He has an artistic style that is easily recognized due to the way he depicts the human form. A self-taught artist, he is influenced by his birthplace, Monk's Corner, South Carolina. Campbell revisits the rural South in his "Neckbone" series, inhabited by Joe-Neck bone, Joe Neck bone, Jr., and Grandma Corrie. His subjects, proud, God-fearing, and self-reliant, are the backbone of the African-American community.
Many originals are created in a collage mixed medium of charcoal, pastels, acrylics, fabric and ink on arches cover acid free rag paper. His art work is identified by silhouetted, elongated figures with long necks. Campbell says his works are respectively named after food, because he considers his works to be food for the soul, for himself and for collectors.
Leroy Campbell is a quintessential renaissance artist. His passion for life is captured in the insightful and intuitive portrayal of his subjects. The trademark of torn edges gives viewers a sense of nostalgia. His gifted use of color both excites and mesmerizes his collectors.
Campbell’s artwork is sold to contemporary galleries and collectors internationally. His work is displayed in corporations, universities and private collections. Campbell’s distinctive art has been seen on hit television shows “Martin”, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, “Living Single”, “The Jamie Foxx Show”, “The Cosby Show”, “In the Heat of the Night”, and in feature productions like “The First Wives Club” and others.
Campbell’s works have also been displayed in Japan, Senegal, England and Germany. He has been interviewed for magazines and programs all over the world. Campbell’s commissioned works include: Barcardi Rum, Segrams, Tom Joyner Foundation, Willie Garrett Foundation, 100 Black Men, Newsweek, Cross Roads Theatre, Burger King and more. Campbell is also the author and publisher of a collection of poetry entitled “Morning Dreams”.
“As years go by, I see my art as a celebration of Black lifestyles. I try to capture the richness of the culture --- the dance and music. I call it old spirit art; it represents a past, reflective of the African-American experience."