Leonardo Benzant
My practice is driven by my connection to the trans African-Atlantic diaspora. I recognize both my ties and disjunction from an ancestral past by considering the possibilities of genetic imprints, cultural identification, innate and intuitive beliefs and a conscious seeking of links that reveal continuities that are hidden or largely unsuspected by the mainstream. I imagine myself as an Urban Shaman exploring both my familiar visible world and the hidden dimensions of other realms that lurk beneath the surface of daily life. The sense of personal cosmology in my practice grows from both experiencing and observing the details of everyday life and ritual. Artworks emerge out of the crossroads of life, history, memory, and imagination, a place between that suggest multiple layers of meaning. Inspiration is derived, in part, from the various modes of communication that I have studied and encountered in African-derived rituals

Lutete’s_Lamentó Installation
2021

Lutete’s_Lamentó Installation

Lutete’s Lamentó (the birth of a bleeding star)

That Which Weaves All Of Time Together (detail)

Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)

Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)- Detail

Voyaging con Mukanda (the living and the dead)

Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)

That Which Weaves All Of Time Together

Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)-Detail 2

That Which Weaves All Of Time Together (detail)

the Artist with his work

Across Seven Ruins And Redemptions Somo Kamarioka Installation 2

Across Seven Ruins And Redemptions Somo Kamarioka Installation 1

Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)- Detail

Across Seven Ruins And Redemptions Somo Kamarioka Installation 3

Ngonda Magic and the Language of Circles and Spirals

Ngonda Magic and the Language of Circles and Spirals (detail)

The Trickster Who Weaves the World

The Trickster Who Weaves the World (detail)

La Morena From The Dream

La Morena From The Dream (dream)

Rendezvous At The Crossroads

Black Joy Takes Courage

Black Joy Takes Courage (detail)

The Tongue On The Blade: Serenade For Aponte And All Those Who Have Vision

The Tongue On The Blade: Serenade For Aponte And All Those Who Have Vision

Cosmology Of Resistance

Bundle Of Malongo

Bundle Of Malongo (detail)

Kangol Kid

The Artist in Studio

Los Tigueres Y Los Muertos

Bambula (detail)

Bambula

Los Tigueres Y Los Muertos

Moyo Of The Seer

El Caminante (The Walker)

Elegba Wants To Eat

Yaya (Mothers and Grandmothers)

Afrosupernatural: Entities And Archetypes

The Chameleon's Journey

The Chameleon's Journey: Galveston (detail)

Afrosupernatural: Entities And Archetypes

Simbi Kia Masa - Work in Progress

Simbi Kia Masa - Work in Progress
Leonardo Benzant
Lutete’s_Lamentó Installation, 2021
- Tumblr

Leonardo Benzant
Ngonda Magic and the Language of Circles and Spirals (detail), 2019
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
36 x 132 x 5 in
91.4 x 335.3 x 12.7 cm

Leonardo Benzant
The Tongue On The Blade: Serenade For Aponte And All Those Who Have Vision, 2017-18
Chickenwire, paper-mache, fabric, saw-dust, coffee, sand, string, clay, acrylic gel medium and paint, monofilament, glass seed beads and miscellaneous.
40 x 76 x 52 in
101.6 x 193.0 x 132.1 cm

Leonardo Benzant
The Tongue On The Blade: Serenade For Aponte And All Those Who Have Vision, 2017-18
Chickenwire, paper-mache, fabric, saw-dust, coffee, sand, string, clay, acrylic gel medium and paint, monofilament, glass seed beads and miscellaneous.
40 x 76 x 52 in
101.6 x 193.0 x 132.1 cm

Leonardo Benzant: Across Seven Ruins and Redemptions Somo Kamarioka
November 11, 2021 to January 23, 2022
View exhibit press release (pdf)
"The paintings are a type of mirror as they are created from tracing parts of the sculptures. On a material level, it references the metamorphosis of the beads, string, and fabric. On a spiritual level, it reflects the adaptive survival strategies and transformations that occur- both personally and collectively,-as we navigate various systems of oppression. In spite of the trauma and the violence, Across Seven Ruins and Redemptions_Somo Kamarioka materializes a journey of hope, healing, and self-determination."
-Leonardo Benzant

Current image:
Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2020

Current image:
Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)- Detail
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2020

Current image:
Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)- Detail
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2020

Current image:
Across Seven Ruins And Redemptions Somo Kamarioka Installation 2

Current image:
Lutete’s_Lamentó Installation
2021

Current image:
Lutete’s Lamentó (the birth of a bleeding star)
acrylic on paper
2021

Current image:
Across Seven Ruins And Redemptions Somo Kamarioka Installation 3
2021

Current image:
A Child Of Both Waters Is Born To Be A King
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2021

Current image:
A Child Of Both Waters Is Born To Be A King Detail 1
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2021

Current image:
A Child Of Both Waters Is Born To Be A King Detail 2
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2021

Current image:
Voyaging con Mukanda (the living and the dead)
acrylic on paper
2021

Current image:
Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2021

Current image:
Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)-Detail 1
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2021

Current image:
Double-Dutch-Dreams-inst-det13

Current image:
Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)-Detail 2
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
2021
Four Now; Leonardo Benzant, Barbara Earl Thomas, Adebunmi Gbadebo & Gio Swaby
December 1, 2020 to January 23, 2021
Claire Oliver Gallery
View exhibit press release (pdf)
Four Now Is A Presentation of The Gallery’s Booth at Untitled Art Fair,
Telegraphing the Excitement of Miami Art Week To Claire Oliver’s Harlem Headquarters
With A Dynamic Program of Virtual Talks

Current image:
That Which Weaves All Of Time Together
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
2020

Current image:
That Which Weaves All Of Time Together (detail)
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
2020

Current image:
Four Now
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2020

Current image:
Holding Fire 2
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
2020

Current image:
Holding Fire 2 (detail)
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
2020

Current image:
Four Now
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2020

Current image:
Production 1
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
2020

Current image:
Production 1 (detail)
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
2020

Current image:
Pretty Pretty 3
thread and fabric sewn on canvas
2020

Current image:
Pretty Pretty 3 (detail)
thread and fabric sewn on canvas
2020

Current image:
That Which Weaves All Of Time Together
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
2020

Current image:
On Fire
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
2020

Current image:
A Dilemma of Inheritance: pages 7-15-10
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
2020

Current image:
Pretty Pretty 4
thread and fabric sewn on canvas
2020
UNTITLED, ART Miami Beach 2019
December 4, 2019 to December 8, 2019
UNTITLED, ART Miami Beach
View exhibit press release (pdf)
UNTITLED, ART is an international, curated art fair founded in 2012 that focuses on curatorial balance and integrity across all disciplines of contemporary art. Untitled, Art innovates the standard fair model by selecting a curatorial team to identify, and curate a selection of galleries, artist-run exhibition spaces, and non-profit institutions and organizations, in dialogue with an architecturally designed venue. The next edition of Untitled, Art Miami Beach will take place on the beach at Ocean Drive and 12th Street, December 4 — 8, 2019.

Current image:
Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
True Blue: 18th Hole ll
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
2019

Current image:
True Blue 19: Richard
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
2019

Current image:
Ngonda Magic and the Language of Circles and Spirals
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2019

Current image:
the Artist with his work
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Ngonda Magic and the Language of Circles and Spirals (detail)
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2019

Current image:
UNTITLED, ART Miami Beach art battle
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43
2019

Current image:
Visitors to UNTITLED, ART learn more about TRUE BLUE works
2019

Current image:
The Trickster Who Weaves the World
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2019

Current image:
The Trickster Who Weaves the World (detail)
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2019

Current image:
the Artist with her works
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
True Blue 25: Peter
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
2019

Current image:
IMG_0309

Current image:
teamwork makes the dream work
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019q

Current image:
True Blue 20: Jack
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
2019

Current image:
UNTITLED, ART Miami Beach art battle
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
September 19, 2019 to September 22, 2019
Navy Pier, Chicago IL
View exhibit press release (pdf)
The two artists featured in Upending the Narrative work slowly and methodically -- almost ritualistically. They create detailed and sumptuous works of art redolent with content and mystery; these works demand to be studied. Equally important to the painstaking “making” is their studio practices exploring the current condition in their own African American communities. Each speaks about the real life versus media portrayal/stereotype of the African American family: grandfather, mother, brother, daughter and the normal if the invisible successful black community.

Current image:
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
2019

Current image:
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

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EXPO Chicago Family photo
Exhibition Installation Photograph
2019

Current image:
La Morena From The Dream
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
2019

Current image:
La Morena From The Dream (dream)
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
2019

Current image:
To God and Truth
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2019

Current image:
To God And Truth - detail (in progress)
cotton, silk chiffon, satin, silk and lace
2019

Current image:
Black Joy Takes Courage
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
2019

Current image:
Black Joy Takes Courage (detail)
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
2019

Current image:
I Am Not Your Nego
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2019

Current image:
The Tongue On The Blade: Serenade For Aponte And All Those Who Have Vision
Chickenwire, paper-mache, fabric, saw-dust, coffee, sand, string, clay, acrylic gel medium and paint, monofilament, glass seed beads and miscellaneous.
2018

Current image:
Kindred
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2019

Current image:
Dear Mama
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2019

Current image:
Dear Mama (detail)
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2019

Current image:
Bundle Of Malongo
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, efun (powdered-eggshell), vija, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2014-19

Current image:
Bundle Of Malongo (detail)
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, efun (powdered-eggshell), vija, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2014-19

Current image:
Broom Jumpers
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2019

Current image:
Cosmology Of Resistance
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, efun (powdered-eggshell), vija, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2014-19

Current image:
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2019
PULSE Miami Beach
December 6, 2018 to December 9, 2018
Indian Beach Park, Miami Beach FL
View exhibit press release (pdf)
Claire Oliver Gallery, New York is proud to present
Impatient Obsessions: a three-person curated exhibition
featuring work by Barbara Earl Thomas, Bisa Butler, and Leonardo Benzant.
It makes no difference to the blackbird if he eats from our table or scavenges from our discarded piles. The future of his kind may not be altered. But that is not our fate. We’ve inherited the burden of knowledge and the grief of failed intention. We are not born blind, but we can choose to live that way. -- Barbara Earl Thomas

Current image:
works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2018

Current image:
Perez Art Museum Miami Pick - "The Safety Patrol"
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2018

Current image:
works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2018

Current image:
works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
PULSE Miami 2018
2018

Current image:
Collector House Interview
PULSE Miami 2018

Current image:
works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
PULSE Miami 2018
2018

Current image:
works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2018

Current image:
works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
black Tyvek over white Tyvek
2017

Current image:
Trapped
Mouth Blown and Sandblasted Glass
2017

Current image:
works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
PULSE Miami 2018
2018

Current image:
The Safety Patrol
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2018

Current image:
Derailed
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
2018

Current image:
Rendezvous At The Crossroads
colored-pencil, powdered-charcoal, and acrylic on canvas
2018

Current image:
Three Kings
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2018

Current image:
Bambula
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2018

Current image:
The Mighty Gents
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
2018

Current image:
El Caminante (The Walker)
powdered-charcoal, acrylic on wood panel
2018

Current image:
Storm Eater
Mouth Blown and Sandblasted Glass
2018

Current image:
Kangol Kid
powdered-charcoal, acrylic on wood panel
2018

Current image:
Yaya (Mothers and Grandmothers)
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2018

Current image:
FLEE
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
2018

Current image:
Los Tigueres Y Los Muertos
colored-pencil, ground coffee, and acrylic on canvas
20`18

Current image:
Head In The Clouds
Cut Tyvek and Rag Construction Paper
2018

Current image:
The Act Of Repurposing Western Artifacts
caucasian baby doll, fabric, string, ground coffee, vija, rabbit skin glue, oil, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2018

Current image:
Mannish Boy
work in progress, studio photo
2018

Current image:
Mannish Boy (detail)
work in progress, studio photo
2018

Current image:
Moyo Of The Seer
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
2018
Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
70 x 90 x 8 in | 177.8 x 228.6 x 20.3 cm
2020

Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)- Detail
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
70 x 90 x 8 in | 177.8 x 228.6 x 20.3 cm
2020

Reliquary For The Black Boy Who Sits At The Window Dreaming(A Collection Of Conjurings and Letters)- Detail
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
70 x 90 x 8 in | 177.8 x 228.6 x 20.3 cm
2020

Across Seven Ruins And Redemptions Somo Kamarioka Installation 2

Lutete’s_Lamentó Installation

Lutete’s Lamentó (the birth of a bleeding star)
acrylic on paper
51 x 90 in | 129.5 x 228.6 cm
2021

Across Seven Ruins And Redemptions Somo Kamarioka Installation 3

A Child Of Both Waters Is Born To Be A King
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
36 x 112 x 10 in | 91.4 x 284.5 x 25.4 cm
2021

A Child Of Both Waters Is Born To Be A King Detail 1
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
36 x 112 x 10 in | 91.4 x 284.5 x 25.4 cm
2021

A Child Of Both Waters Is Born To Be A King Detail 2
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
36 x 112 x 10 in | 91.4 x 284.5 x 25.4 cm
2021

Voyaging con Mukanda (the living and the dead)
acrylic on paper
51 x 72 in | 129.5 x 182.9 cm
2021

Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
103 x 84 x 10 in | 261.6 x 213.4 x 25.4 cm
2021

Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)-Detail 1
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
103 x 84 x 10 in | 261.6 x 213.4 x 25.4 cm
2021

Double-Dutch-Dreams-inst-det13

Double-Dutch Dreams: A Black Girl's Rhythm And Magic, A Black Boy Finding His Malongo(Seven African Powers)-Detail 2
glass and ceramic beads, leather, fabric, acrylic paint and filament
103 x 84 x 10 in | 261.6 x 213.4 x 25.4 cm
2021

That Which Weaves All Of Time Together
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
40 x 150 x 15 in | 101.6 x 381.0 x 38.1 cm
2020

That Which Weaves All Of Time Together (detail)
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
40 x 150 x 15 in | 101.6 x 381.0 x 38.1 cm
2020

Four Now
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Holding Fire 2
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
26 x 40 x 1 in | 66.0 x 101.6 x 2.5 cm
2020

Holding Fire 2 (detail)
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
26 x 40 x 1 in | 66.0 x 101.6 x 2.5 cm
2020

Four Now
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Production 1
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
36 x 84 x 3 in | 91.4 x 213.4 x 7.6 cm
2020

Production 1 (detail)
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
36 x 84 x 3 in | 91.4 x 213.4 x 7.6 cm
2020

Pretty Pretty 3
thread and fabric sewn on canvas
36 x 84 x 1 in | 91.4 x 213.4 x 2.5 cm
2020

Pretty Pretty 3 (detail)
thread and fabric sewn on canvas
36 x 84 x 1 in | 91.4 x 213.4 x 2.5 cm
2020

That Which Weaves All Of Time Together
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
40 x 150 x 14 in | 101.6 x 381.0 x 35.6 cm
2020

On Fire
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
26 x 40 x 1 in | 66.0 x 101.6 x 2.5 cm
2020

A Dilemma of Inheritance: pages 7-15-10
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
77 x 30 x 1 in | 195.6 x 76.2 x 2.5 cm
2020

Pretty Pretty 4
thread and fabric sewn on canvas
36 x 84 x 1 in | 91.4 x 213.4 x 2.5 cm
2020

Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43
Exhibition Installation Photograph

True Blue: 18th Hole ll
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Indigo, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
233 x 92 x 3 in | 591.8 x 233.7 x 7.6 cm
2019

True Blue 19: Richard
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
18 x 22 x 1 in | 45.7 x 55.9 x 2.5 cm
2019

Ngonda Magic and the Language of Circles and Spirals
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
36 x 132 x 5 in | 91.4 x 335.3 x 12.7 cm
2019

the Artist with his work
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Ngonda Magic and the Language of Circles and Spirals (detail)
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
36 x 132 x 5 in | 91.4 x 335.3 x 12.7 cm
2019

UNTITLED, ART Miami Beach art battle
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Claire Oliver Gallery @ UNTITLED, ART | Stand B43

Visitors to UNTITLED, ART learn more about TRUE BLUE works

The Trickster Who Weaves the World
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
48 x 115 x 5 in | 121.9 x 292.1 x 12.7 cm
2019

The Trickster Who Weaves the World (detail)
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
48 x 115 x 6 in | 121.9 x 292.1 x 15.2 cm
2019

the Artist with her works
Exhibition Installation Photograph

True Blue 25: Peter
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
18 x 22 x 1 in | 45.7 x 55.9 x 2.5 cm
2019

IMG_0309

teamwork makes the dream work
Exhibition Installation Photograph

True Blue 20: Jack
Human Black Hair, Cotton, Rice Paper, Denim, Hair Dye, Silk Screen Print
18 x 221 x 1 in | 45.7 x 561.3 x 2.5 cm
2019

UNTITLED, ART Miami Beach art battle
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019

Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph

Upending the Narrative @ EXPO Chicago 2019
Exhibition Installation Photograph

EXPO Chicago Family photo
Exhibition Installation Photograph

La Morena From The Dream
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
39 x 105 x 5 in | 99.1 x 266.7 x 12.7 cm
2019

La Morena From The Dream (dream)
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
36 x 105 x 5 in | 91.4 x 266.7 x 12.7 cm
2019

To God and Truth
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
144 x 120 x 1 in | 365.8 x 304.8 x 2.5 cm
2019

To God And Truth - detail (in progress)
cotton, silk chiffon, satin, silk and lace
144 x 108 x 1 in | 365.8 x 274.3 x 2.5 cm
2019

Black Joy Takes Courage
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
48 x 98 x 5 in | 121.9 x 248.9 x 12.7 cm
2019

Black Joy Takes Courage (detail)
upholstery fabric, string, monofilament, leather, gel-medium, acrylic, pony beads, semi-precious stones and seed beads
48 x 98 x 5 in | 121.9 x 248.9 x 12.7 cm
2019

I Am Not Your Nego
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
50 x 72 x 1 in | 127.0 x 182.9 x 2.5 cm
2019

The Tongue On The Blade: Serenade For Aponte And All Those Who Have Vision
Chickenwire, paper-mache, fabric, saw-dust, coffee, sand, string, clay, acrylic gel medium and paint, monofilament, glass seed beads and miscellaneous.
76 x 52 x 23 in | 193.0 x 132.1 x 58.4 cm
2018

Kindred
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
60 x 84 x 1 in | 152.4 x 213.4 x 2.5 cm
2019

Dear Mama
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
53 x 73 x 1 in | 134.6 x 185.4 x 2.5 cm
2019

Dear Mama (detail)
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
53 x 78 x 1 in | 134.6 x 198.1 x 2.5 cm
2019

Bundle Of Malongo
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, efun (powdered-eggshell), vija, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
7 x 84 x 7 in | 17.8 x 213.4 x 17.8 cm
2014-19

Bundle Of Malongo (detail)
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, efun (powdered-eggshell), vija, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
7 x 84 x 7 in | 17.8 x 213.4 x 17.8 cm
2014-19

Broom Jumpers
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon

Cosmology Of Resistance
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, efun (powdered-eggshell), vija, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
15 x 85 x 9 in | 38.1 x 215.9 x 22.9 cm
2014-19

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
84 x 50 x 1 in | 213.4 x 127.0 x 2.5 cm
2019

works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon

Perez Art Museum Miami Pick - "The Safety Patrol"
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
90 x 82 in | 228.6 x 208.3 cm
2018

works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous

works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
PULSE Miami 2018

Collector House Interview
PULSE Miami 2018

works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
PULSE Miami 2018

works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon

works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
black Tyvek over white Tyvek
68 x 36 in | 172.7 x 91.4 cm
2017

Trapped
Mouth Blown and Sandblasted Glass
8 x 16 x 8 in | 20.3 x 40.6 x 20.3 cm
2017

works on view, "Impatient Obsessions"
PULSE Miami 2018

The Safety Patrol
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
90 x 82 in | 228.6 x 208.3 cm
2018

Derailed
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
48 x 36 in | 121.9 x 91.4 cm
2018

Rendezvous At The Crossroads
colored-pencil, powdered-charcoal, and acrylic on canvas
60 x 72 in | 152.4 x 182.9 cm
2018

Three Kings
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
95 x 72 in | 241.3 x 182.9 cm
2018

Bambula
caucasian mannequin head, fabric/clothes, string, glitter, acrylic, gel-medium, monofilament, leather, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
17 x 96 x 14 in | 43.2 x 243.8 x 35.6 cm
2018

The Mighty Gents
quilted and appliquéd cotton, wool and chiffon
67 x 78 in | 170.2 x 198.1 cm
2018

El Caminante (The Walker)
powdered-charcoal, acrylic on wood panel
48 x 60 in | 121.9 x 152.4 cm
2018

Storm Eater
Mouth Blown and Sandblasted Glass
11 x 8 x 11 in | 27.9 x 20.3 x 27.9 cm
2018

Kangol Kid
powdered-charcoal, acrylic on wood panel
48 x 60 in | 121.9 x 152.4 cm
2018

Yaya (Mothers and Grandmothers)
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
8 x 72 x 5 in | 20.3 x 182.9 x 12.7 cm
2018

FLEE
cut Tyvek and hand-rolled lithograph
35 x 35 in | 88.9 x 88.9 cm
2018

Los Tigueres Y Los Muertos
colored-pencil, ground coffee, and acrylic on canvas
60 x 72 in | 152.4 x 182.9 cm
20`18

Head In The Clouds
Cut Tyvek and Rag Construction Paper
-624 x 36 in | -1585.0 x 91.4 cm
2018

The Act Of Repurposing Western Artifacts
caucasian baby doll, fabric, string, ground coffee, vija, rabbit skin glue, oil, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
7 x 60 x 6 in | 17.8 x 152.4 x 15.2 cm
2018

Mannish Boy
work in progress, studio photo
39 x 54 in | 99.1 x 137.2 cm
2018

Mannish Boy (detail)
work in progress, studio photo
39 x 54 in | 99.1 x 137.2 cm
2018

Moyo Of The Seer
fabric, string, monofilament, acrylic, glass seed beads and miscellaneous
10 x 47 x 7 in | 25.4 x 119.4 x 17.8 cm
2018

Public Collections
- Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, MN
- Minneapolis Institute of Art, MN
- The Harvey B. Gantt Center, Charlotte, NC, USA
- Art in Embassies, US Department of State, Washington, DC
Grants/Awards
- Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors Grant, 2017
Residencies
- 2016 Galveston Artist Residency, Galveston Texas, 2016
Selected Exhibitions
- Urban Shaman, Claire Oliver Gallery, 2021
- UNTITLED, ART, Miami Beach 2020
- FOUR NOW, Claire Oliver Gallery, Harlem NY, 2020
- UNTITLED, ART, Miami Beach, FL 2019
- EXPO CHICAGO, Chicago IL, 2019
- Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa OK
- Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA
- Coffee, Rhum, Sugar, and Gold: A Postcolonial Paradox,
Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco, CA, 2019 - PULSE Contemporary Art Fair, Claire Oliver Gallery, Miami Beach FL, 2018
- The Future of Craft Part 2, The Burke Prize Exhibition, Museum of Arts and Design, 2018
- Visionary Aponte: Arts & Freedom, Forum For Scholars And Publics,
Duke University, 2018 - Visionary Aponte: Arts & Freedom, King Juan Carlos Center, NYC, 2018
- Revival: Contemporary Pattern and Decoration, Organized by El Museo,
at Longwood Art Gallery, Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY, 2018 - Afrosupernatural, Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, Newark,
New Jersey, 2017 - Visionary Aponte: Arts & Freedom, 9th Edition of Global/
Borderless Caribbean, Little Haiti Cultural Center, Miami, FL, 2017 - Homeostasis, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, Brooklyn, New York, 2017
- 2016-2017 Resident’s Exhibition, Galveston Artist Residency,
Galveston, TX, 2017 - A Fast, Moving Sky, The Third Line, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2017
- High John the Conqueror Ain’t Got Nothing On Me: American Hoodoo and
Southern Black American-centric Spiritual Ways, Rush Art Gallery, NY, curated by Danny Simmons and Shantrelle P. Lewis, 2017 - Koi No Yokan III, 101 Exhibit Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 2016
- Africa’s Out, curated by Wangechi Mutu, Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, NY 2016
- Cosmology of Resistance and Transformation, G.R. N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, Detroit, MI, 2015
- Power, Protest, and Resistance: The Art of Revolution, Skylight Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, curated by Oshun Layne and Daniel Simmons, 2015
- Badass Art Man: Original Artwork of Danny Simmons (coupled with items from his eclectic collection), African American Museum in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2015
- New American Sculpture, FiveMyles Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, curated by Dexter Wimberly, 2015
- Venturing Out of the Heart of Darkness, Harvey B. Gantt Center, Charlotte, NC, curated by Rehema Barber, 2015
- In Between Days, Driscoll Babcock Galleries, New York, NY, curated by Tess Schwab, 2014
- I Kan Do Dat, Contemporary Abstract Art, Rush Arts Gallery, New York, NY, curated by Danny Simmons and Oshun Layne, 2014
- Bridging Boundaries: Redefining Diaspora Part I, Postscrypt Gallery Columbia University, New York, NY, 2014
- Bridging Boundaries Redefining Diaspora Part II, Aloft Hotel Gallery, New York, NY curated by Leanne Stella, 2014
- Curatorial Salon, Leonardo Benzant, Derek Fordjour, Duhirwe Rushemeza, Tikhonova & Wintner Fine Art, New York, NY, 2014
Artist Talks and Lectures
- Artist Lecture Series, MICA, Maryland Institute College of Art, 2014
- Across Generations: African-Americanisms in Contemporary Art. Moderated by Dexter Wimberly, Tikhonova & Wintner Fine Art, New York, NY, 2014
- THE SACRED AND THE SURREAL: THE ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY IN ABSTRACT ART, Danny Simmons Jr. Panel Discussion, Moderator: Sherman Fleming, 2014
- Edge Art: Black-Latino (a) Artists, An Inter-Caribbean Dialogue, 3rd. Annual Black Studies FineArt Exhibition of Contemporary Black/Afro-Latino (a) Artists from Around the Western Atlantic World, Cohen Library Archives Gallery, New York, NY, 2014
Select Bibliography
- Peggy Cooper Cafritz, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, LaToya Rubie Frazier, Thelma Golden, Titus Kaphar, Simone Leigh, Kerry James Marshall, Uri McMillan, Tschabalala Self, Jack Shainman, Hank Willis Thomas, William Villalongo, Fired Up! Ready to Go!, Finding Beauty, Demanding Equity: An African American Life in Art, The Collections of Peggy Cooper Cafritz, Rizzoli, 2018
- Monica Uszerowicz, Reanimating History: Visionary Aponte: Art And Black Freedom, BOMB, 2018
- Why This Year’s Galveston Artist Residency Exhibition is Different, Glasstire, 2017
- Jyoti Kalsi, In A Constant State of Flux, Gulf News, 2017
- Alyssa Klein, “Leonardo Benzant Afrosupernatural Art”, OkayAfrica, 2106
- Kelvin Ward, “Afrosupernatural”, The Bholdr, 2016
- Sharon Pendana, In The Trove, “Leonardo Benzant”, 2016
- Benjamin Sutton, “Surveying Surveys of New American Sculpture”, Hyperallergic, 2015
- Ryan Wong, “Younger Americans At Driscoll Babcock”, ARTSlant New York, 2015

Museum & Institutional News
Transcendent: Spirituality in Contemporary Art
Burlington City Arts
October 18, 2019 - February 8, 2020

Museum & Institutional News
Minneapolis Institute of Art acquires “Radiations of The Night Walker” by Leonardo Benzant
Minneapolis Institute of Art
July 1, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
Coffee, Rhum, Sugar & Gold, A Postcolonial Paradox curated by Dexter Wimberly
Museum of the African Diaspora
May 8, 2019 - August 11, 2019

Museum & Institutional News
The Burke Prize 2018 @ MAD: The Future of Craft Part 2
Museum of Arts and Design
October 3, 2018 - March 7, 2018

Press
Joan Mitchell Foundation Awards $625,000 in grants to artists
Artforum International
November 14, 2017

Museum & Institutional News
Venturing Out of the Heart of Darkness
he Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
February 7, 2015 - June 26, 2015