Virginia Leonard

  • Virginia Leonard - Urn for Unwanted Limbs and Other Things (light blue, yellow red), 2025 (smaller)
  • Virginia Leonard - Urn for Unwanted Limbs and Other Things (light blue, yellow red), 2025 (smaller)
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Virginia Leonard - Urn for Unwanted Limbs and Other Things (light blue, yellow red), 2025 (smaller)

Virginia Leonard is well-established (both in New Zealand and internationally) for her striking, experimental approach to clay sculpture. Originally having trained as a painter, Leonard was drawn to ceramics after being involved in a serious motorcycle accident which resulted  in a long hospitalisation period and an aftermath of living with severe chronic pain. 

Of the explicit link between her life experience and her art-making, Leonard describes:  “My works are self-portraits that address my bodily scarring and chronic pain. Chronic pain has no biological value…it lacks both language and voice. The language of my clay making is my attempt to rid my body of trauma and reduce my level of chronic pain.” 

The intimately physical process of working with clay, resin and glaze has been Leonard’s way of exploring that pain and trauma, with her elaborate vessel forms traversing the line between order and chaos. Through tearing, smearing, lumping and clumping the clay, the forms come together to be representative of bodies, and presented on plinths and platforms, the viewer meets them figuratively as sculptural torsos to be examined - with curious lumps, growths, orifices, fingers, claws, dimples, warts and all. 

  • Clay and pure gold 
  • 230mm x 200mm
  • Unique 

$3,900.00
$3,900.00
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Virginia Leonard - Urn for Unwanted Limbs and Other Things (light blue, yellow red), 2025 (smaller)
Virginia Leonard - Urn for Unwanted Limbs and Other Things (light blue, yellow red), 2025 (smaller)

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Artist Bio

Virginia Leonard is a contemporary New Zealand artist known for her innovative ceramic sculptures. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, she completed her Master of Fine Arts with First Class Honours at Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design in 2001, following a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the same institution in 1990. Leonard’s work often challenges traditional perceptions of ceramics, exploring themes of the human form, identity, and transformation. Her sculptures are recognised for their dynamic, playful nature, with a distinct style that combines intricate textures and forms. Leonard’s artistic practice is rooted in a strong sense of materiality, pushing the boundaries of clay as a medium to express complex ideas.

Leonard has gained international recognition, exhibiting widely in prestigious galleries and events around the world. She has held solo exhibitions at renowned spaces such as Gow Langsford Gallery in Auckland, New Zealand, and Mindy Solomon Gallery in Miami, USA. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including Sydney Contemporary, miart in Milan, Italy, and artgenève in Switzerland, showcasing her work alongside leading contemporary artists. Her works are held in significant public and private collections, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Shepparton Art Museum, and Musée Ariana in Geneva.

In addition to her exhibitions, Leonard has received numerous awards, including the Officine Saffi Award 4 Main Prize in Milan, Italy, and the First Runner-Up Wallace Art Awards in 2020. Her commitment to her craft has earned her residencies at institutions such as Glass House/Stone House in Chenaud, France, and Guldagergaard in Denmark, further cementing her reputation within the international ceramic community. Leonard’s work is also featured in several art publications, including 100 Sculptures of Tomorrow by Thames & Hudson and Ceramics Art + Perception. Through her evocative sculptures, Leonard continues to contribute to the ongoing dialogue between ceramics, art, and culture, offering viewers a thought-provoking experience.