Leonardo Devito Interview: Myth, Memory, and Ambiguity in Painting
In a conversation with Margherita Artoni for Juliet Art Magazine, Leonardo Devito, an Italian artist born in Florence in 1997 and currently residing in Turin, elaborates on his artwork that intertwines personal memories, mythology, and symbolic tension. His creations, rooted in adolescent experiences, defy straightforward interpretations. Devito highlights the significance of paint's materiality in shaping his artistic journey, often challenging his original concepts. He deems a piece complete when the composition achieves balance, although he acknowledges a desire for meticulous detailing. Among his prominent works are "Giudizio finale," "Ghirigoro," "Napolino," "Coppia al parco" (2022), "Sottoletto" (2024), "Città degli uccellini," "Bobi fa pipì" (2024), and "Casa nostalgia" (2024). His solo exhibition, "Scary Monsters," took place at Hauser & Wirth Paris from November 27 to December 20, 2025.
Key facts
- Leonardo Devito was born in Florence in 1997 and is based in Turin.
- Devito uses myth as a narrative device to interpret the present.
- His most satisfying works are those that emerge from personal memories.
- Adolescence is a recurring theme, drawn from his own intense teenage years.
- He aims to create images that resist a single interpretation.
- He believes the materiality of paint often overrides initial narrative intentions.
- Devito advocates for stepping away from works to gain fresh perspective.
- His solo show 'Scary Monsters' was at Hauser & Wirth Paris from 27 Nov to 20 Dec 2025.
Entities
Artists
- Leonardo Devito
- Margherita Artoni
Institutions
- Juliet Art Magazine
- Hauser & Wirth Paris
- Ciaccia Levi
- Galleria Acappella Napoli
- Alison Jacques
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Turin
- Paris
- France
- Milan