Leo’s practice combines aspects of shamanism and Zen to create works that stem from a deep spiritual connection to the land.

Biography

Leo Cremonese is a Brazilian-Australian artist who now lives in Kandos, regional NSW Australia.

Leo identifies as a culturally and linguistically diverse artist as well as a regional artist and a practitioner of outsider art.

About the Work

Leo’s practice combines aspects of shamanism and Zen to create works that stem from a deep spiritual connection to the land.

Under the tutelage of an animal spirit guide and Zen master, a cattle dog called Penny, Leo learnt how to have silent conversations with the land (and all that comes with it, the air, the trees, the rocks, cliffs, mountains, creeks…). These “conversations” are, of course, devoid of human language, therefore of our intellect. With reason out of the way Leo is able to delve into realms that are not inhabited by humans.

Leo believes this practice helps him shift away from the lineage of Western culture and get closer to the essence of existence and to experience exhilarating and often enchanting waves of energy.

After converting such resonances to colour and tactility Cremonese can offer viewers a glimpse into a private world. Through his immersive installations and paintings his audiences are invited to share some of the vibrations he has unveiled and experience their own gentle sensory and emotional shift.

About the Artist

Leo Cremonese migrated from Brazil to Australia at age 12 where he finished growing up on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Cadigal country with all due respect. In 2017 he moved to Kandos in the Central West region of NSW, Dabee country with all due respect.

Leo’s approach to art has been shaped by many factors including his Brazilian Tupi Guarani indian heritage as well as his European (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish) heritages, by his acquired intimacy with nature through his 30 plus years love affair with surfing and the teaching of surfing (Leo worked as a surf instructor for nine years from 2005 to 2014), and subsequent move away from the ocean. In his art practice Leo draws heavily on his knowledge of Vedanta and his ability to momentarily see energy as colour and to have visions without the aid of psychedelics. In both the conception and realization of his works he also draws on his sound understanding of historical painting techniques.

Cremonese has exhibited continuously in solo and group shows since 1994. His work is held in many private collections across the world. Leo holds a Masters degree from the College of Fine Arts, University of NSW (1996). His practice was significantly impacted by a scholarship in historical oil painting techniques at the Charlie Sheard Studio School (2002 - 2005), which was funded by the Tim Olsen Gallery.

Leo has been a finalist in the Blake Prize for Religious Art, National Art school Gallery, Sydney (2009). In 2019 he was invited to participate in the biannual Cementa Arts Festival where he held a solo site- specific immersive installation accompanied by storytelling. In 2020, Leo held a solo exhibition at the Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo, The Colour of the invisible.

CV

Scholarships:

2002-2005: Tim Olsen Study Scholarship.   

Qualifications and training:   

2005: Drawing Practice Course, Charlie Sheard Studio School.

2004: Historical Oil Painting Techniques, Charlie Sheard Studio School.  

1996: Master of Art, College of Fine Arts, University of NSW. 

1994: Bachelor of Fine Arts, College of Fine Arts, University of NSW.  

Projects and solo exhibitions:

2020: The Colour of the Invisible. Western Plains Cultural Center, Dubbo. Solo exhibition of installations and paintings.

2019: Cementa19 festival., Kandos. Combimelong – Colour for Dionysos, Solo site specific immersive installation and storytelling for Cementa19 festival.

2018: Perception (colour, Air), Birds Hut Projects, Kelgoola. Solo exhibition of site specific perticipatory installations.

2017: Perception Circle, Clandulla State Forest. An ephemeral perticipatory installation.

2015 – 2018:  Chopon Surf Lodge, Manus province Papua New Guinea. An ongoing multi-disciplinary work that has as its aim working organically and holistically with the community of Kichopon Village to introduce surfing to Manus Island, thus rounding off the local coastal people’s natural affinity and intimacy with the ocean and to promote cultural exchange between Kichopon and the rest of the world, while retaining the integrity of the local culture and way of life.

2016: Materiality and Energy, Number 47, Rylstone.  Solo exhibition of paintings and sculptures. 

2011: Made in Brazil, Bondi Pavilion Gallery, Sydney. Solo exhibition of paintings and works on paper. Part of Sydney’s South American Festival.

2009: Mainomenos Dionysos, Iain Dawson Gallery, Sydney.  Solo Exhibition of paintings.

Selected group exhibitions: 

2017: The Survey Show II, Clundulla State Gallery, Clundulla State Forest.

2016: In Bed Together, Kandos Projects, Kandos.

2013: Confluencias, Art Month Sydney, Museum of Freemasonry, Sydney,   

2009: Four Sydney Abstractionists, Tin Sheds Gallery, Sydney University, Sydney.

Prizes:

2009: Finalist Blake Prize for Religious Art, National Art school Gallery, Sydney. 

1996: Finalist Jenny Birt Award, College of Fine Arts NSW, Sydney.

Curatorial Projects:

2020: Disquiet, WAYOUT Space, Kandos. Co – curator.

2017: The Survey Show II, Clundulla State Gallery, Clundulla State Forest. Co – curator.

Collections:      

Represented in various private collections in Australia, Brazil, Italy, USA, Germany and Spain.