Leoncillo Leonardi's Ceramic Sculpture Takes Center Stage at Thaddaeus Ropac Milan

Thaddaeus Ropac Milan is showcasing "Leoncillo. Perché più bruci," an exhibition dedicated to the artist Leoncillo Leonardi, curated by Lorenzo Fiorucci, Alberto Salvadori, and Azalea Seratoni, running from 16 September to 14 November 2026. This exhibition explores Leoncillo's transition from figuration to a focus on materiality, featuring early pieces such as Suonatori (1938-39). The work Centralinista (1949-51) reflects societal tensions, while the ideological shift following the 1957 Soviet invasion of Hungary transformed his political expression from bodily representation to structural artefacts. The Tagli reveal inner spaces, and Colomba (1952-53) introduces a sense of movement. Amanti antichi (1965) showcases large-scale construction, with comparisons to Fontana, Burri, Penone, and Pisano highlighting Leoncillo's distinctiveness. Fire immortalizes the legacy of his clay creations.