ARTIST STATEMENT:
Transience, beauty and the conceptualization of the nude body within Canada’s artistic identity are key themes in
John Di Leonardo’s current studio practice. His figurative images oscillate between abstraction and realism.
“My work explores questions of the nude image as a contentious landscape in the history of Canadian art, and how
its tradition as object of desire and shame informs the trajectory of our social constructs, values and identity.”
John Di Leonardo
Transience, beauty and the conceptualization of the nude body within Canada’s artistic identity are key themes in
John Di Leonardo’s current studio practice. His figurative images oscillate between abstraction and realism.
“My work explores questions of the nude image as a contentious landscape in the history of Canadian art, and how
its tradition as object of desire and shame informs the trajectory of our social constructs, values and identity.”
John Di Leonardo
CORONA SERIES: 2020-Ongoing
"Fleur-de-lis I " / Graphite / Stonehenge paper / 18" X 24 " 2020 "Nude Study" / Graphite / Strathmore paper / 18" X 24" / 2020
"Fleur-de-lis II" / Graphite / Fabriano paper / 18" X 24" / 2020. "TGIF" / Graphite / Fabriano paper / 18" X 24" / 2020

"Flora" / Graphite / Fabriano Paper / 22" X 30" / 2020
MIRROR / MIRROR SERIES: 2018-19
Drawing Installation with Convex Mirrors and Historical Quotes: The convex mirrors refract the viewers’ gazes and allows them to appreciate both the contemporary Canadian nude and their personal views at once.

Mirror Mirror # I : "After the Garden" / Graphite / 4' X 9' / 2018
Mirror / Mirror # II : "Spring Sonnet" / Graphite / 4' X 9' / 2018
Mirror / Mirror # III : "The Visit" / Graphite / 4' X 9' / 2018
Mirror /Mirror # IV : "Canadian Elegy" / Graphite / 4' X 9' / 2018
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All images are subject to copyright.