Biography

A sculptor, painter and teacher, Leonard studied at the Slade School of Art, 1949-52 and with Zadkine in Paris, 1953. He worked as an assistant to Barbara Hepworth from 1955-1959 and was a member of the Penwith Society in St.Ives, where he lived for many years, becoming friendly with other artists there, including Winifred Nicholson, Trevor Bell and Patrick Heron. He was head of sculpture at Sunderland School of Art, 1959-62 and at Farnham School of Art, 1964-67. Leonard’s mixed exhibitions included Gimpel Fils, London, 1954; Tate Gallery, 1958; New York World Fair, 1964-65; New Art Centre, London, 1986. His solo shows included Drian Gallery, London, 1958 and a Retrospective Exhibition at the Penwith Gallery, St.Ives, 1994. Both Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson admired and bought Leonard’s work, which is also held by Birmingham City Art Gallery and other public collections.