"We reuse things and turn them into art."
- Leonardo Rodriguez Pastrana Caldarola
At just 12 years old, Leonardo Rodriguez Pastrana Caldarola has already experienced what it means to be a global artist. What began as a form of play, a way to express his imagination and explore ideas born at school, has evolved into a creative journey that has taken his work to exhibitions across Asia, Europe, USA... His pieces stand out for their freshness, originality, and authenticity, reflecting the pure joy of creation. For Leonardo, every show becomes a celebration, a true party of colours, ideas and emotions where children and adults come together to enjoy art inside a world of his own making. His exhibitions often feel like birthdays of imagination, transforming the experience of viewing art into something joyful, communal, and alive.
Leonardo's family embraces his talent with natural ease, encouraging him to enjoy being a child (almost a teenager) while nurturing art as a form of play, expression and creativity.
LEONARDO, YOU’RE ONLY 11 YEARS OLD AND ALREADY SHOWING YOUR ART ALL OVER THE WORLD. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO SEE PEOPLE IN PLACES LIKE KOREA AND NEW YORK ENJOYING YOUR WORK?
I feel very lucky because I can travel to lots of different countries, and the people we meet at the exhibitions are really sweet and kind to me.
YOUR FATHER JOSÉ AND YOUR MOTHER HAVE BEEN BY YOUR SIDE ON THIS JOURNEY, HOW IMPORTANT HAVE THEY BEEN IN HELPING YOU GROW AS BOTH A PERSON AND AN ARTIST?
My parents buy me all the things I need for my crazy ideas..from colours and sprays, to cardboard, wire & tools.
They also take me to other artists studios so I can learn from them. They always support me and help me (especially with tidying up and cleaning brushes...hehe).
YOU’VE WORKED WITH BRANDS LIKE NIKE, ZARA, AND EVEN MADE ARTWORK FOR SEBASTIAN YATRA, WHAT WAS THE MOST EXCITING OR SURPRISING PROJECT YOU’VE DONE SO FAR?
I like all of them, because I am free to do whatever I want. I remember for example creating a Monster from a shoe, or when we create a 3D cardboard stand with all my ideas.
SCHOOL CAN BE BUSY AT YOUR AGE - HOW DO YOU BALANCE HOMEWORK, CLASSES, AND STILL FIND TIME TO CREATE YOUR ART?
That´s the hardest part for me, because school takes more and more study time and leaves me with less free time to do the things I like. Last year I had 60 exams! Mostly on weekends is when I can spend more time creating and inventing things.
Leonardo Rodriguez Pastrana Caldarola
Title: "Schoolnotes" 2024
Medium: Mixed media on metal panel
Dimensions: 68 x 40cm
Framing: We suggest to frame floating in a box frame without glass.
YOU RECENTLY PAINTED ON A CANVAS THAT CAME FROM A LONDON DOUBLE-DECKER BUS PANEL, WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE? DID THE SHAPE AND HISTORY OF THE PANEL INSPIRE YOU IN A SPECIAL WAY?
I thought it was such a great idea, because besides helping people it's also something that helps the planet. We reuse things and turn them into art.
YOU OFTEN PAINT VEHICLES IN YOUR ARTWORKS. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PAINT ONTO ANY FORM OF TRANSPORT IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU PAINT - AND WHAT WOULD YOU PAINT ON IT?
I'd like to paint on a flying car. I´d give it a face and bones so it would look like some kind of flying mechanical animal.
YOU’VE ALREADY EXPERIMENTED WITH PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND EVEN AUGMENTED REALITY - WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT TRYING DIFFERENT MEDIUMS, AND IS THERE ONE YOU’D LIKE TO EXPLORE MORE IN THE FUTURE?
I love to try new things and mix them all. Creating a sculpture that I can paint and could move through AI would be amazing!
WHO ARE SOME OF THE ARTISTS THAT INSPIRE YOU? DO YOU EVER TRY TO BRING SOME OF THEIR IDEAS OR STYLES INTO YOUR OWN WORK?
My friend Antonyo Marest was a big inspiration from the very beginning. I remember him teaching me how to paint with sprays when I was only 5 or 6 years old. I also love many surrealist artists like Roberta Lobeira and Pedro Hoz.
WHEN YOU’RE NOT PAINTING OR AT SCHOOL, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN? DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE SPORT, GAME, OR HOBBY?
I love playing Tennis, ping pong, and pickleball (racquet sports). I have tennis lessons twice a week and it is the official hobby at home.
LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT’S A DREAM PROJECT YOU’D LOVE TO DO IN THE FUTURE - MAYBE A PLACE TO EXHIBIT, SOMEONE TO COLLABORATE WITH, OR SOMETHING NEW TO TRY IN YOUR ART?
I would love to create a big sculpture like the ones from Kaws as iconical as the Cristo Redentor in Brazil.