Leo Frontini: Portae | January 11 - February 17, 2024

LOS ANGELES, CA | albertz benda is pleased to announce Leo Frontini: Portae, the artist and poet’s debut solo show. On view in Los Angeles from January 11th – February 17th, 2024, Portae is composed of a series of paintings and writings which focus on pivotal moments of transition and growth. Using the term portae (Latin for “the gates”), Frontini takes the viewer through fundamental checkpoints of life with themes of birth, maturity, self-discovery, reproduction, death, and ascension. In each painting, Frontini’s figures encounter moments of tension that act as gates marking moments of personal transition as they grapple with their situations. Reflecting on their journey, the figures consider the gates that they have passed through and confront their path that lies ahead.

In Frontini’s poems, he narrates the atmosphere of emotions and thoughts accompanying his painted figures and scenes. His narration of the depicted characters pulls the viewer into the paintings in a masterful use of text to create an immersive experience unique to each work.

BELOW by Leo Frontini

A kindling of curiosity. The tireless search of an atrophied metallic grip found flexed in infinite rotation. In repetition, we soon find stagnation. The digits of time submerged in plated pulp, holding on to both the past and the future. Unable to move forward, she is left contemplating the beautiful emptiness of the present. Guided by the warmth of light is his epiphany. A spark of approach along the path of growth lends an understanding of the reflection, and the weight of a friend's love awakens a rested eye to what lies before them.

Leo Frontini has an innate ability to captivate the viewer's attention both visually and intellectually. By infusing depth and thoughtfulness into his creations, the twenty-three-year-old makes them not just visually stunning but also emotionally resonant. Exploring Leo Frontini's work is like embarking on a journey that engages both your senses and intellect, making him an artist worth admiring. Frontini utilizes his vast knowledge of renaissance and baroque works to imbue his paintings with symbolism, iconography, and meaning. This new set of works will be the artist’s most comprehensive yet, balancing poetry and artistry.

After discovering Frontini’s talent, fellow Los Angeles based artist Devon DeJardin has been a mentor to encourage and foster his artistic growth. In Devon’s words, “Leo Frontini's expertise as a young artist is particularly pronounced in his unique ability to seamlessly blend literature and writing into his creations, elevating them to a level of depth that sets him apart from the rest. His art becomes a canvas for storytelling, with each piece a narrative waiting to be unraveled. Through carefully chosen words and symbolism, Leo weaves tales and emotions that resonate deeply with viewers, creating an immersive experience that goes beyond visual aesthetics. In this fusion of art and literature, Leo Frontini demonstrates a mastery both technically and visually, that adds an unparalleled layer of richness to his work, making him a true visionary in the world of contemporary art.”