Leo Maher (London, 1998) collects research from material cultures, past and present, and the narrative they present tethered to, before reformatting archives into new physical pieces. Often trying to respect one tool or material as an equivalent to the next, respecting the delicate mutuality and harmony as narratives, materials and techniques come together to form conglomerate objects; reincarnations of past selves.

He graduated Cum Laude from the Design Academy Eindhoven (BA) in 2021 and with Merit from Kingston School of Art (2017). His graduation project from the Design Academy ‘Unfamiliar Passions’ was nominated for the Melkweg Award for ‘outspoken talent’. With the series he investigates the history of homosexuality and its dance through time and western civilisation. Each piece explores the heritage of identifiers, legends, euphemisms, deviant behaviours and signalling mechanisms, noting how they transcend cultures and societies before ending up woven into the cloth of modern gay life.

It acknowledges its existence in a material culture where depictions of life events and significant characters are immortalised through representation and icon. Figurative and portrait busts preserve legacies of those once considered socially significant. Trends and movements in sculpture literate a consensus of emotion from the surrounding society. As far back as 30,000 years ago, we discover human handprints made on walls - ‘I was here’.

Leo Maher thinks it’s important that in a progressively liberal society we not only preserve the conventional narratives, but also those not previously considered customary or reputable. The project aims to give medium – voice – to this boundless history of queer legend.

Exhibitions at the gallery
Amsterdam Art Week: Unfamiliar Passions (with Mai van Oers)