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Step 2: The Progression
A Solo Exhibition by Leah Knecht
Exhibition Dates: July 11 – August 8, 2026
Opening Reception: July 11, 6 – 8 PM
Leah Knecht descends from a centuries-old lineage of Japanese artists. Surrounded by art from an early age and influenced by visual traditions from Japan, Mexico, Africa, and Europe, she
developed a deep appreciation for cultural aesthetics that continues to inform her practice.
Knecht’s award-winning artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums, including her solo exhibition Equal Justice Under Law, at the Ontario Museum of History and Art in Ontario, CA.
This exhibition continues an ongoing series examining Asian biracial identity, racism, and the impact of historical events. Through multi-layered wall works and sculptural assemblages
constructed primarily from reclaimed vintage windows and doors, the work explores themes of belonging, exclusion, and resilience.
Resin transparencies create depth and shifting reflections, while vintage ephemera provides context. Many pieces transform as viewers move through the space, revealing changing
perspectives and layered narratives. The visitor is greeted by more colorful works about micro-aggressions and identity, and progressively becomes more somber.
Created in response to the current climate surrounding immigration, the exhibition examines the consequences of anti-immigrant rhetoric and fear-based propaganda. By referencing the
incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, including U.S. citizens, the work draws parallels between past and present, encouraging reflection on how prejudice can become policy
and how easily history can be forgotten.
