Ledare first gained recognition through his exhibition and artist book titled “Pretend You’re Actually Alive” (2000-2008), which examines the complex relations between the artist and his mother – namely, how she used intimacy, eroticism, and vulnerability to negotiate the balance of power within the family.
Through a wide span of artistic practices, Ledare examines issues related to desire, identity, and morality. "The resulting images are often sumptuous, saturated with color, and surprisingly beautiful. In 2009, Ledare was included in an exhibition "Ça Maine Touche" curated by Nan Goldin in Arles France as part of the annual Rencontres d"Arles photography festival.
Writing in the New York Times, Roberta Smith said that Ledare is "taking us deep into the darkness and torment that drive many artists." In the series "Personal Commissions" Ledare "answered personal ads from women whose desires echoed those of his mother’s, and paid them to photograph him in their apartments, in a scenario of their choosing."
He has taught at California Institute of the Arts.
Columbia University, New New York New York University; and the Fondazione Spinola Banna per l’Arte, Italy.
He is represented by Pilar Corrias Gallery in London, United Kingdom, Office Baroque in Brussels, Belgium, Michell-Innes and Nash, New York, and The Box, Los Los Angeles 2013: "Leigh Ledare, et al.", Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Denmark
2012: "Double Bind - Leigh Ledare", mfc-michèle didier, Paris
2012: "Leigh Ledare et al", WIELS, curated by Elena Filipovich
2010: "The Confectioner’s Confectioner", Pilar Corrias Gallery, London
2010: Nominated and exhibited at the Rencontres d"Arles Discovery Award, France.
2009: "Ça me touche", curated by Nan Goldin, Les Rencontres d"Arles, France.
