Birds - drawings, paintings & animation (watercolour, charcoal & oil)

In depicting birds, Leo explores themes of freedom and confinement.

Birds began to appear in Leo’s work with his animation The Foundling (2018) as a metaphor for escaping the confinement of the city. Since then, they have been a recurring symbol of escape or transfiguration, often in relationship to the human figure (Ithakas, L’amour rebelle, The Masterpiece of Tamagata). Leo also uses imagery of birds in flight to demonstrate the fluidity and freedom of watercolour in his courses for the V&A Academy.

ANIMATIONS FEATURING BIRDS

PAINTINGS & DRAWINGS

Watercolours - scroll through >>

Pelican

charcoal, ink and feathers on paper
594 x 841 mm

Legend has it that a pelican will sacrifice its own blood to feed its young. Inspired by the tomb of Elizabeth de Munck at Highgate Cemetery.