Overview

"Leo Orta's practice bridges art, design, and environmental consciousness, combining sculpture, painting, and installation to explore material cycles, human bonds, and ecological narratives in the contemporary world."

 

Leo Orta (b. 1993, Paris) is a multidisciplinary artist working across sculpture, installation, painting, and performance. A graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven, his practice explores the interplay between human connections, material cycles, and environmental concerns. Drawing inspiration from psychoanalysis, surrealism, and recycled materials, Orta critiques industrial processes and advocates for sustainability. His works have been exhibited internationally, including at FRAC, K11 Guangzhou, and Frieze London.

Works
Video
Portrait of artist Leo Orta, © 2024 Leo Orta. All rights reserved
Biography

Leo Orta (b. 1993, Paris) is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice navigates the intersections of art, design, and environmental discourse. A graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven in 2019, Orta's artistic approach spans sculpture, painting, installation, and performance, probing human relationships, societal constructs, and the ecological impact of industrial practices. His works are deeply informed by psychoanalysis and surrealist traditions, drawing on influences such as Henry Moore's biomorphic forms, Niki de Saint Phalle's vibrant constructions, and Phyllida Barlow's innovative use of repurposed materials.

Living and working between Paris and Les Moulins, Orta's Anglo-Argentine heritage and global experiences enrich his perspective, particularly through his studies at the Pacific Northwest College of Arts in Portland, USA. His art frequently employs upcycled materials, transforming industrial remnants into symbolic reflections on biodiversity and sustainability.

Orta's sculptures and installations engage with themes of transformation, hybridization, and the evolving relationship between humanity and the natural world. Recent works articulate a dialogue between economic and ecological systems, offering critical perspectives on consumption and environmental degradation.

Exhibiting internationally at institutions such as FRAC, Le Plateau, and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and participating in fairs like Fiac, Frieze London, and Design Miami/Basel, Orta has established himself as a significant voice in contemporary art. His work challenges conventional perceptions, inviting audiences to consider the complexities of human and ecological coexistence.

 
Exhibitions
News
Bibliography
  • Exhibitions: FRAC, Le Plateau, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, K11 Guangzhou, Van Abbemuseum Eindhoven.
  • Fairs: Fiac, Frieze London, ART 021 Shanghai, Design Miami/Basel, Westbund Shanghai.
  • Education: Design Academy Eindhoven (2019), Pacific Northwest College of Arts (exchange program).
  • Residencies: Les Moulins (Boissy-Le-Châtel), Paris.