Pablo Leonardo's sculptural works with raw textures and expressive forms

About the artist

PABLO LEONARDO

Pablo Leonardo, born in Havana, Cuba, in 1961, has lived and worked in Barcelona since 1966, spending nearly his entire life there. He pursued a degree in Sculptural Procedures at the Escola Superior de Disseny i Art Llotja in Barcelona. In the years that followed, he combined his work as a sculptor with a successful career in graphic design. Throughout his artistic journey, he has explored various materials, including iron, polyester resin with fiberglass, and cast iron, although wood has become his preferred medium in recent years. His work focuses on geometric abstraction, highlighting the organic qualities inherent in his chosen materials.

Pablo Leonardo's art never fails to surprise. It stirs a profound admiration for the old, which, recovered from memory, becomes new. His pieces reflect a commitment to knowledge, which he sees as a transformative force for society.

Leonardo's artistic journey began early in life. At the age of 9, his mother organized his first solo exhibition in their home, a moment documented in photographs that show him proudly standing beside his drawings and paintings. This formative experience set the stage for a lifetime of creative exploration.

As a Cuban by birth and a Catalan by choice, Pablo Leonardo’s work has evolved alongside his personal and conceptual growth. In 1988, he articulated a foundational idea that continues to define his art: "I conceive art as a mental projection of that part of ourselves which, being unknown and random, has no prior planning, and which we store in a state of harmonic disorder." This philosophy, deeply rooted in his practice, has guided his sculptural explorations and established him as a distinctive voice in contemporary art.

Pablo Leonardo Martínez organic wood sculpture showcased at EAST WEST SPACE Art Gallery Barcelona.
Unique handcrafted wooden sculptures in EAST WEST SPACE Barcelona contemporary Art Gallery

"Each piece holds its own energy; my hands shape, press, and transform it until the material and I speak the same language."

— PABLO LEONARDO

ARCHIVE PHOTOS

"Estructures i composicions poètiques"

LOCATION
Museo Enric Monjo (Barcelona)

YEAR
2023-2024

The artist selects nearly forgotten sculptures, revisiting them to imbue them with new value. The exhibition includes recent and never-before-seen pieces, grouped into series such as “The Origin of Sound” and “Elevations.” He primarily works with wood and iron, exploring textures and finishes with patience. His works reflect a balance between expansion and containment, the result of an inner journey of exploration and desire.

Intricate wood sculpture by Pablo Leonardo Martínez, part of the MEM exhibition at EAST WEST SPACE and Museo Enric Monjo.
EAST WEST SPACE Barcelona presents Pablo Leonardo Martínez's unique wood sculpture, displayed at the MEM exhibition.
Pablo Leonardo Martínez’s innovative wood sculpture at the MEM exhibition, EAST WEST SPACE Barcelona.
Pablo Leonardo Martínez's organic wood sculpture, showcased at the Museo Enric Monjo and EAST WEST SPACE Barcelona.
Sculptural artistry by Pablo Leonardo Martínez in wood, exhibited at EAST WEST SPACE and Museo Enric Monjo.
Organic art in wood by Pablo Leonardo Martínez, featured at EAST WEST SPACE Barcelona and the Museo Enric Monjo.

ART TAIPEI

LOCATION
Taipei (Taiwan)

YEAR
2022

Pablo Leonardo Martínez showcased his evocative wooden sculptures at Art Taipei 2022, represented by Bluerider Gallery. His work, known for blending natural forms with conceptual depth, captivated audiences with its craftsmanship and emotional resonance.

Organic wooden sculpture by Pablo Leonardo Martínez, showcased at EAST WEST SPACE and Art Taipei
Contemporary organic sculpture by Pablo Leonardo Martínez, presented by EAST WEST SPACE at Art Taipei 2022.
Unique sculpture by Pablo Leonardo Martínez, crafted in wood and exhibited at Art Taipei with EAST WEST SPACE.
Pablo Leonardo Martínez's wooden art piece, blending nature and design, featured at Art Taipei and EAST WEST SPACE Barcelona

UNIQUE SCULPTURES THAT TELL STORIES