Pierre Leichner was born in Romania in 1947 to Hungarian parents who fled to France where he was raised until the age of 13. The family then moved to Montreal. Between the Arts and Sciences he first chose science and attended McGill for a Bachelor in Biochemistry. Curious about the mind, he pursued research in Neurochemistry and obtained a Masters from the University of Strasbourg in 1969. But the laboratories were too sterile and he decided to become a physician and specialized in psychiatry. After graduating from Queen's University and a year of research at the University of California in San Diego, he started his academic career in Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba in 1978. Since then, he has occupied several teaching, research, clinical and administrative posts at McGill, Queen's and now the University of British Columbia.

In 2002, Pierre began on a part-time basis, the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. He received his BFA in 2007. To date his work has reflected his view of the artist as an observer and commentator on society. He uses surprise, paradox and humor in his work to interest the viewers. Both the Arts and the Sciences share in their pursuit of existential meaning. In this, his interest will continue, perhaps bridging the gap between his scientific and artistic careers. He obtained his Masters in Fine Arts from Concordia University in 2011 and he is now beginning his career as a teacher and a practicing artist.