Leonardo Bartolini (Florence, 1970) lives and works in Japan in Kumamoto, on the island of Kyūshū, a land that has always been devoted to ceramic production.

The artist’s personal formal research focuses on the use of techniques from various eras, even distant from each other, but skilfully hybridised and renewed over decades of experience.

The material is rough, irregular, enriched with grains, metal grafts and textures obtained in Jomon. This ancient Japanese technique consists of weaving on the surface and the use of sealed earth, a type of engobe already known to the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans.
The earths, carefully selected directly from deposits, are enriched with oxides and usually dark colours reminiscent of Etruscan bucchero.

From a symbolic point of view, the artist’s works, essential, totemic, of primordial and timeless value, seem to reach upwards, alluding to a spiritual asceticism. On the other hand, the firm and rigorous constructive structure derives from Bartolini’s architectural background.
His latest production is the result of folds, twists, and interpenetrations inspired by the compact and rigid folds of kimonos.

Bartolini has exhibited in solo and group shows and competitions, gaining various awards and visibility in the international ceramic art scene.

* Reference bibliography: M. Lapperier, Leonardo Bartolini in direzione del cielo, in La Ceramica. Moderna & Antica, no. 318, Oct/Dec 2022