Biography:

Leon Yehuda Soriano was born in Zimbabwe on 12th September 1944. He studied art at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town and the Durban College of Arts and Crafts where he was awarded the South African Design Diploma (S.A.N.D.D). He continued his post graduate studies in Europe at the London College of Printing and Design. From 1970 to 1977 he exhibited in the National Gallery of Rhodesia’s annual exhibition of Rhodesian Artists as well as exhibiting at various established galleries. He opened the Art Centre in Harare where children and adults were taught all forms of art and craft. In 1978 he went to South Africa to live and established himself as a teacher of adults and children as well as an artist. He has exhibited extensively in South Africa as well as owning one of the major art shops in Johannesburg, SA Arts and Crafts, and established a successful graphic art School in Johannesburg. Eighty five percent of his students were given gainful employment in advertising studios throughout the city. In June 2000 he moved to Canada, and had a highly successful show in Vancouver in 2001. Here in Toronto he works as a full-time artist and teacher in his studio. On his arrival in Toronto in 2002 he was selected as the principal artist to show at the Ashkenaz Festival in the Harbourfront Gallery. His work is represented in private collections in Canada, the United. States, England, Belgium, Australia and Italy as well as in Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa.

Leon Soriano is included in the latest edition of Esme Berman’s seminal study of Southern African Art, Art and Artists of Southern Africa (A.A. Balkema, Cape Town)

He is listed in The Collectors Guide to Art and Artists in South Africa (Twenty Two Press, South African Institute of Artists and Designers, Cape Town)

See also:
“Master Painters of the World — Canada”; in: International Artist, April/May, 2004, pp.98-103

Leon Soriano is an elected member of The Federation of Canadian Artists

Artist's Statement:

The major theme of my work deals with humanity in the environment and my treatment of this subject matter is very atmospheric. I am preoccupied with the human form and the strength of my figures lies in their hands and feet, for humanity is grounded in the earth and our hands toil to provide food and shelter. The figures frequently appear to huddle together, almost cocooned in protection against the forces of nature. Mothers gather their children to them and there is often a feeling of landscapes in the painted backgrounds. Distances are suggested by roads that lead away beyond the horizon, and there is always a disc shape in the sky. This is a hallmark of my work, for it may be the sun, or moon or, perhaps, something extraterrestrial since humanity, although bound to earth, receives hope and perhaps assistance from beyond.

There is much warmth and light in the work and this is especially so because my roots are in Africa. The work frequently incorporates a high degree of texture in the form of collage, texture gels and metallic leaf. When viewing my art one is drawn into the picture and beyond as if on an unending journey. There is also a strong feeling of ancient African traditions, people tilling the soil, carrying logs, lifting straw, or tending their flocks. I often do not distinguish between the sexes, the figures have no facial expressions - this gives my work a universal appeal.

My work in mixed media includes acrylic, oil pastel, metal leaf, wax and watercolour crayons. The works in oil are normally on canvas and recently I have started etching and particularly enjoy hand colouring the plates using printing inks in a wide range of colours.