Brooke Leigh

Nature / Nurture crosses out the “vs.” in “nature vs. nurture,” questioning the notion of opposition. Suspended in nature and filmed for two minutes, a polyester shoe dustcover becomes a site of tension between the synthetic and the organic. Working with semi-transparent, delicate fabric, Leigh explores sewing as a performative gesture—a repetitive, labour-intensive mark-making process. She pierces the fabric—pulling thread so tightly it twists and strains—mirroring the vulnerability rooted in relational trauma and memory. By positioning a manmade material amid living nature, the work highlights dichotomies such as fragile vs. resilient and ephemeral vs. enduring. In doing so, Nature / Nurture reaffirms the interdependence of personal and environmental landscapes, suggesting that neither can exist in isolation. The work calls attention to how human behaviours leave enduring marks on the environment, prompting reflection on our shared vulnerability and responsibility.