BENEDIKT LEONHARDT GERMANY, b. 1984
“The tangible materiality and emanating effect of the colour fields become the primary focus of the works. The painterly technique remains enigmatic and the original idea shimmers underneath, continuously deconstructed in the process of painting.”
Benedikt Leonhardt was born in 1984 in Leipzig, Germany, where he lives and works. He studied at the Academy of Visual Arts Leipzig (HGB Leipzig), first in painting (2007–2014) and then as a postgraduate (Meisterschüler) from 2014–2016 under Prof. Astrid Klein. He also spent a semester (Erasmus) at the Bergen Academy of Art and Design in 2012.
Leonhardt’s work investigates the tension between figurative prompts (screenshots, photos, moments) and painterly abstraction: he builds complex, layered compositions using oil, acrylic, vinyl paint, sometimes tape and fillers — creating paintings that suggest memory, drift, digital noise turned material.
His paintings have been exhibited widely: selected solo shows include “Perlin Noise” (2020, FeldbuschWiesnerRudolph, Berlin), “Pale Blue Dot” (2022, ASPN, Leipzig), and “OTO” (2025, FeldbuschWiesnerRudolph, Berlin).
He has received several recognitions: the LVZ Art Prize (2017), a fellowship/grant from the Stiftung Kunstfonds Bonn (2021), and earlier support via the Cusanuswerk scholarship during his studies (2009–2016).
Leonhardt’s works are included in public and private collections across Europe.
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (FT-NYR-CR-CCB-VD), 202547,2 x 35,2 cm -
Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (CBL-QM-TC), 2024140 x 100 cm
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (CBL-QM-TC-NG5), 2024180 x 124 cm
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (BG1-LRX-CO-MCB), 202355,7 x 44,8 cm
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (CYD-CB-BO/CO-QV), 2023200 x 150 cm
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (FT-CBL-NYL-TO), 2023221 x 152 cm
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (TRV-TO-CLG), 2023180 x 133 cm
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (TW/ZW-Y-QM-B-3), 202264,7 x 46,8 cm
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Benedikt LeonhardtUntitled (BO-CR-ACH-BV), 2021200 x 158 cm
“Benedikt Leonhardt builds his paintings from figurative impulses, superimposed by complex layers of lines, tape and glazes of colour.”
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Education: HGB Leipzig — Painting (2007–2014) + Postgraduate studies (2014–2016). Erasmus semester at Bergen Academy of Art and Design (2012).
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Awards and Grants: LVZ Art Prize (2017); Stiftung Kunstfonds Bonn grant (2021); Cusanuswerk scholarship (2009–2016).
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Solo exhibitions (selection): 2025 — “OTO”, FeldbuschWiesnerRudolph, Berlin; 2022 — “Pale Blue Dot”, ASPN, Leipzig; 2020 — “Perlin Noise”, FeldbuschWiesnerRudolph, Berlin.
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Public/Private Collections: e.g. Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig; Kunsthalle Bremen; Museum Wiesbaden; Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz; Fundatie Zwolle (NL).