Leon Soriano
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Biography
Mixed Media on Canvas
36" x 24"
Leon Soriano was born in Zimbabwe in 1944. He studied art at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town and the Durban College of Arts and Crafts. He continued his post graduate studies in Europe at the London College of Printing and Design.
In 1978 he moved to South Africa where he exhibited extensively. In Johannesburg, he established a successful graphic art School. In 2000 he moved to Canada and had highly successful shows in Vancouver. After arriving in Toronto in 2002 he was selected as the principal artist at the Ashkenaz Festival in the Harbourfront Gallery. In May 2004 he was included as one of "The Master Painter's Of Canada".
His mixed media work includes acrylic, oil pastel, metal leaf, wax, and watercolour crayons. He also works in oil on canvas and recently he has started etching.
His paintings are in private collections in Canada, United States, England, Belgium, Australia, Italy, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.
Artist's Statement
There is much warmth and light in the work and this is especially so because my roots are in Africa. The work frequently incorporates lots of texture in the form of collage, texture gels and metallic leaf. When viewing my art, I hope one is drawn into the picture and beyond as if on an unending journey. There is also a strong feeling of ancient African traditions, people tilling the soil, carrying logs, lifting straw, or tending their flocks. I often do not distinguish between the sexes, the figures have no facial expressions – this gives my work a universal appeal.
The major theme of my work deals with humanity in the environment and my treatment of this subject matter is very atmospheric. I am preoccupied with the human form and the strength of my figures lies in their hands and feet…. for humanity is grounded in the earth and our hands toil to provide food and shelter.