Leonard Sexton is an artist consistent in his approach to interpreting the intangible and confrontational qualities of his subjects. His figurative studies and sea, land and cityscapes are inspired by emotion, tension and movement associated with his subjects rather than by visual information. Despite his canvases being ravaged by storms of paint – ploughed, scraped and aggressively punctuated across the surface, delicately orchestrated images emerge, contradicting and defying his assertive painterly manner.

Sexton approaches his canvases as a sculpture – constructing and deconstructing with layers of paint to portray the beauty within his subjects and a balance between imagery and voids. His charged canvases reflect the speed in which time passes and nature changes.

Based in Skerries, Co.Dublin, Leonard Sexton began painting at the age of 18 with a four year period of art studies under renowned contemporary Irish artist Patrick Graham. Following his studies, he spent some years teaching and later working in London before devoting himself to painting full time. International artists such a Balthus, Lucian Fraud and Giacometti have been major influences on Sexton’s work. One influence in particular has been noted by Irish Times Critic Aiden Dunne Likening Sexton’s layering and sculpture-like canvases to Giacometti’s work.

Sexton’s paintings have been presented in numerous group exhibitions in Dublin and London. This new collection of works marks Sexton’s second solo exhibition at the Blue Leaf Gallery since his latest impressive collection was presented in 2003. His paintings are in several major collections including the Bank of Ireland, AIB, Irish Life as well as in many prestigious private collections. sexton has been hailed by the 2005 Buyer’s Guide to Irish Art as an up and coming artist with his international reputation continuing to grow.

Jane Ross