Words: Dr. Cybil Bonhomme | @cybil.007
Photography: Joao De Melo | @joademelo
Featured Talent: Leonardo Bueno | @leonardobuenoarte
Creative Direction: Luisa Acosta | @acostaliosa
Stylist: Sergio S | @sergiodesaia
This year, Miami Vibes Magazine is thrilled to spotlight Leonardo Bueno, an artist whose dynamic sculptures have captivated audiences with their powerful blend of natural inspiration and human emotion. With Art Basel Miami as the perfect stage, Bueno’s pieces embody a unique fusion of
nature, personal experiences, and the vibrant energy of Miami.
Leonardo, your artwork is full of life and energy! How do you channel your own emotions and experiences into your creations? I believe my connection with nature and the environment around me is the starting point for everything I create. The curves, textures, and forms I use are direct reflections of my personal experiences. Each sculpture I develop carries a piece of my emotions, whether tied to joy, introspection, or moments of transformation. Sculpture is my way of processing and sharing these experiences with the world.
Art Basel is all about showcasing bold, innovative work. How do you keep your creativity flowing in such a high-energy environment like Miami’s Art Basel? The energy of Art Basel, filled with so many innovative artists and works, is a real boost for creativity. Being surrounded by other creators is inspiring and challenges me to keep pushing forward. The variety of cultures, ideas, and forms of expression I encounter at the fair drives me to explore new possibilities and experiment with my materials and concepts. Art Basel is a place where creativity seems limitless, and that motivates me to constantly reinvent my own art.
Your sculptures are both monumental and intricate—what’s the story behind your transition from painting to sculpture, and which medium do you feel speaks louder to your artistic soul? Since the beginning, I’ve always felt drawn to three-dimensionality. Sculpture gave me the opportunity to explore space in a way that other artistic mediums couldn’t. Working with materials like wood and steel allowed me to create forms that express both strength and lightness. Each piece I create is an attempt to capture the movement and essence of natural elements, and sculpture gives me the freedom to transform raw materials into something that evokes emotions and invites reflection. I chose sculpture because it aligns with my desire to create something that occupies and interacts with physical space in a powerful and meaningful way.
Miami is a vibrant, colorful city, much like your art. How has the Miami art scene influenced your work, and what’s your favorite part about presenting at Art Basel here? The vibrant energy of Miami, with its blend of cultures and modern architecture, provides a unique inspiration for my work as a sculptor. The city has a diversity of forms and styles that reflect a constant quest for innovation, something I also pursue in my pieces. Although my work is deeply rooted in nature and raw materials, Miami’s connection to the contemporary world and its bold lines challenge me to explore new horizons and integrate these urban influences into my art. My favorite part of exhibiting at Art Basel is seeing how people from different cultures and perspectives interact with my sculptures, finding something universal and timeless within them.
We’ve seen your work evolve in exciting ways over the years. What new themes or elements are you exploring in your latest pieces for Art Basel? My recent pieces have further explored the relationship between the raw and the delicate. I continue working with materials that hold natural strength, like wood and steel, but I’m now focusing even more on contrasting these materials with lighter, fluid forms. Additionally, I am deepening my investigation into the passage of time and the transformation that materials undergo over the years, trying to translate these subtle changes into my sculptures.
Your sculptures often play with space and perception—what message or feeling do you want people to walk away with after experiencing your art? I want people to leave their experience with my sculptures feeling reflective and renewed. My pieces aim to challenge perceptions and encourage people to think more deeply about the space around them, their relationship with nature, and above all, their own emotions. I strive to create works that are both monumental and personal, so the audience feels connected to something greater as well as to their own stories.
What is the most memorable reaction you've seen from someone viewing your work for the first time? Did it match what you had envisioned when creating the piece? One of the most memorable reactions I’ve witnessed was when someone began to cry while looking at one of my sculptures. They told me that the piece reminded them of a part of their life they had forgotten, and in a way, the sculpture helped them reconnect with that emotion. It was a powerful moment for me because, while I always hope my works will evoke emotions, the depth of this person’s connection to the piece was something I could never have anticipated.
Miami’s Art Basel attracts a diverse audience of art lovers. If you could give one piece of advice to someone discovering your work for the first time, what would it be? I would say, “Allow yourself to feel.” My works are meant to be experienced emotionally and intuitively. There is no right or wrong interpretation, and each person will bring something unique to the experience. My advice would be to take a pause and contemplate the piece without haste, and see how it resonates internally.
Your Instagram (@leonardobuenoarte) is filled with glimpses of your artistic process. How important is it for you to share this behind-the-scenes journey with your followers? Sharing my creative process is a way to bring people closer to my art. I like showing that each piece is the result of deep work, many stages, and an intense connection with the material. Instagram allows me to take my followers on this journey, giving them a more intimate perspective of what I do. I believe this creates a stronger connection with those who follow my work.
Art Basel is known for its extravagant events. What’s the most unforgettable or surprising experience you've had while participating in the fair? One of the most unforgettable moments was when a collector bought one of my pieces and later invited me to see how it would look in his home. Seeing the piece installed in a completely new environment and feeling the impact it had on the space was an incredible experience. It was a reminder of the transformative power of art and how it can enrich people’s lives.
If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, to create a new piece for Art Basel, who would it be and what would you create? I would love to collaborate with Friedensreich Hundertwasser. His vision of architecture, blending organic forms with a profound respect for nature, resonates strongly with my concept of “The Lightness of the Raw.” Just as Hundertwasser integrates nature into his architectural works, I aim to express lightness and balance within raw materials, creating a connection between the weight of matter and the fluidity of form. Together, I believe we could create a work that unites art and nature in a harmonious and innovative way, revealing the hidden beauty in raw material and the potential of art to transform spaces and perceptions.
What’s next for Leonardo Bueno after Art Basel? Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you’re particularly excited about? I have several projects underway, but the one that excites me most is a new series of sculptures inspired by desert landscapes. I’m exploring new ways to incorporate the sense of vastness and silence I found in these landscapes, creating works that bring a feeling of tranquility and contemplation. I’m also working on expanding my international presence, especially in the United States, with new spaces and partnerships coming soon.
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