"I started making work, and it's like, yes you are calling out all of these things that are part of your memory, your body's memory, things that have gone through your pores, what you've seen, what you've experienced, and you spill them out without thinking. I don't think so much about, "Okay, I'm going to make work, and it's going to be about this." It's just going to come out."
About Leonardo Drew
Leonardo Drew — Life and Legacy
Leonardo Drew is a prominent contemporary artist recognized for his innovative approach to sculpture and installation art. His work often incorporates natural materials, such as wood and earth, to explore complex themes of identity, memory, and the passage of time. Drew's installations invite viewers to engage with their own humanity, as he aims to create spaces that resonate on a personal level. One of his notable quotes, 'I want to create a space where people can feel their own humanity,' encapsulates his mission to evoke emotional connections through art. Drew's artistic philosophy challenges traditional notions of sculpture by merging various textures and forms, creating immersive environments that provoke thought about cultural narratives and histories. His use of decay as a motif symbolizes transformation, reflecting the cycles of life and resilience. This approach not only highlights the beauty in impermanence but also encourages viewers to confront their own experiences with change. Today, Drew's work remains relevant as it speaks to the ongoing conversations about identity and cultural heritage, inviting audiences to reflect on their shared humanity. His installations serve as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of personal and collective histories, making his quotes and ideas resonate deeply in contemporary discourse.
Quote collection
Leonardo Drew quotes
12 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"The more you touch something, the stronger it becomes."
"Soap, a cleaning product, can be made from decay."
"You know that you don't have all the answers, and the unknown is the best place where you would want to be as an artist, not knowing. That actually leads you to ask questions, and it continuously feeds itself."
"The fact is, art is alive. It's moving around. It's alive."
"If you are working, almost like with layers of the Grand Canyon, there's history within those layers."
"Why should you be bogged down with my titles and how I thought about it and my poetic reasoning? No, that's not necessary. Either you're going to be drawn into it [or not]. It's a black hole; gravity should pull you in and you should have that experience."
"The longer they hang out, the deeper the history, the richer the life. If you use that as a template or as a way of realizing things, then I don't think you can go wrong."
"It should be not only a synergy, but a complicity between the viewer and the artist, and so I'm wide open to that."
"There is the artwork that you physically make but there's also the journey that happens on the inside."
"If you imagine my studio floor, you can just keep picking it up and getting masterpieces."
"That's the position I place myself in always. I don't know. It says follow me. It pulls you right through, just by the nose."