LEONIE STOLBERG'S GALERY
Welcome to Leonie Stolberg's gallery,
Immerse yourself in a world where norms are questioned
and where each image is a story, an inner journey.
Art and the perception of nudity have always been very profound subjects, with regard to our position on the body. Nowadays, a subtle evolution is taking place in our perception of nude art, particularly when it comes to photography. Interestingly, people seem more reluctant to look at and buy photographs of naked women. But they are less inclined to have these same reservations when these photos are transcribed through painting. This raises the question of whether painting adds an artistic dimension that allows viewers to see beyond the simple representation of the nude. Nude photography has long been confronted with social and cultural prejudices: this is still the case, and let's not forget that we live in contexts that are favorable to a certain "self-fulfillment". In a society where the image of nudity is often associated with vulgarity or pornography, it's not surprising that some people feel uncomfortable... Photographs offer a realistic, often unadorned representation of the human body, which can be perceived as too crude or exposed. What's more, the ease of distributing images online has led to an overabundance of sexualized images, which may have contributed to a fatigue of this type of representation. Is painting an intermediary? When a photographer chooses to paint over his nude models, he introduces an element of artistic transformation into the work. Painting adds colors, textures and patterns that transform the representation of the naked body into a more complex form of artistic expression. Paintings can evoke a range of emotions and symbolic meanings, enabling viewers to perceive the work as more than just an image of nudity. To find out more, take a look at the "ART THERAPY" or "Nudity and society" pages on my BLOG.
VÉNUS
Portraits of couples entirely in Red which recalls the initial project "Je t'aime" but as part of a preparation for a short film for the musician-composer Dim Kelly in co-production with Benoît Baudson, I launched into this series in order to train in the desired style. Finally the photographic series will be retained as such and exhibited in the gallery by March 2022
RED MY LOVE
Body is Art: A Retrospective at the Sablon My "Body is Art" project was recently featured in an entire retrospective of my work at Le Sablon, bringing together a selection of projects from my early days to the present day. As a photographer, my artistic approach has always been guided by the celebration of the beauty and authenticity of the human body. With "Body is Art", I wanted to explore and expose the notion that every body is a work of art in itself, unique and precious. This project highlights the diversity of bodily forms and expressions, affirming that every body deserves to be seen, respected and appreciated. The retrospective at Le Sablon was an opportunity to present not only this project, but also the evolution of my work over the years. It's a journey through the different facets of my art, where each exhibition and project has contributed to enriching my artistic vision. Peep Art Gallery provided the ideal setting for this presentation, with its open, welcoming spaces that allowed each work to express itself fully. "Body is Art" is more than just an exhibition; it's an affirmation of the importance of self-acceptance and valuing every body. My aim is to provoke reflection on beauty in all its diversity, and to celebrate the vulnerability and strength that lie within each of us. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to share this project with you, and for the support you've always shown for my work. Thank you for being part of this artistic adventure. On this occasion, a "special" series has been designed for the event, visible here directly the other series already put on the site I did not see the importance of putting them back here.
BODY IS ART _ exhibition
The act of asking for love, of desperately seeking that connection that makes us feel alive.
It's a state of being where we find ourselves in a vulnerable posture, waiting for someone to deign to grant us a little of their love, a little of their time...
In this series, we'll explore with models the emotions and sensations associated with this state. If you are interested in participating in this artistic project in "event", please contact me. (Anonymous)
Together, let's explore these complex feelings and seek to understand, in the hope of finding the true source of our own self-worth and self-esteem.
RED MY LOVE
Vanity, Vanity is a form of still life, by which we mean nature without movement which is in perspective life and death. Generally at the time it represented alchemist recipes as well as manifestos during the monarchy. Here, the goal is to make a politically engaged series by mixing body positivity and criticism with the symbol of Of course there will be an image rights contract. It is also for me the opportunity to pay homage to my grandmother, who painted a lot of still lifes.
STILL LIFE
Exhibition Series from October 21 to November 18 with “Auto-Censure” as well as the “Pubis” series at SEE U Brussels as part of an entire exhibition on my work. I had the opportunity to organize all kinds of activities such as Conferences, Concerts, Workshops, Discussion Tables. “Aren’t we doing things to conform to it, whether it’s not to displease, to be accepted, to do like others or even because we don’t know how to do otherwise? How much time is spent not being ourselves? This question is not new; Léonie addresses the question of control of the body and sexuality that society frames for its own ends. Without going back to Antiquity, we know the famous examples of Michelangelo or Caravaggio. In the 19th century, when nudity became omnipresent in artistic production, censorship was confused with modesty and hairiness triggered scandals. It is Édouard Manet or Gustave Courbet who shock by treating bodies with realism, that is to say with proximity and truth. All the artists who opposed the image of the body conveyed by the society of their time paid a high price for their freedom of emotion and expression. » List of guest speakers for the occasion: Chloé De Bon, l'Ecole des Cordes, Le Son du Désir, Edwige Fleury de Wicul, Camille battalion, Léorose de @no.dick.pics, Pécheresse, Lou west, Tancardville Moons. ttts, Vimure & Fleur, Mishaps, Victor Novak, Nox Ohm, Imaina, Lou_K, Espour Sarah, Leese and Kayu! — Thanks to Mell, Viffany, Aurora and Acya
DESA CORPS
“مقدس” means “holy” in Arabic. This is a single photo that I dedicate to the women we forget... at the origin of this tribute, three women who do not know each other and who nevertheless share blood and tears. These three women challenged themselves to come see me for a shoot at some point in their lives. You will never see their photos out of respect for them and their ideas. It was several months of work on the BodyPositif tone, we cried a lot, it was exhausting but very enriching. — Thanks to her and the anonymous model.
مقدس
Loose nude series with orphan photos from custom shoots or special projects.
MIX OF NUDES
Project in collaboration with L'école des Cordes de France founded by Stephanie Doe and Alex Von Dirty.
SHIBARI
Auto-Censorship is my first real series and it is the one that launched the beginning of my adventure in photography. This series responds to the censorship of which I have been a victim for several years. Auto-Censure has been exhibited in several galleries and soon at the Museum of Eroticism. — Thanks to Jérôme, Rachel, Viviane, Antony, Giulia
SELF CENSORSHIP
In the Name of the Body is more than just a photographic project. Its first goal is to help you reclaim your body, your physique, your image. It’s about putting your body at the center by placing it in the middle of a composition and the visual intention. It is a very difficult exercise for the model because it requires abandonment, letting go. But the most complicated thing is ultimately not getting naked, but seeing yourself. Visualizing the space we take up, seeing its particularities, exploring our physical singularity, all this makes us aware of ourselves: we are and we exist in space, we feel and are felt. It is always surprising to look, after a photo shoot, at the difference between the first and last take. The model evolves; the model understands the good that this revelation does him.
IN THE NAME OF THE BODY
This is the analogue version of the "In the name of the body" series, for an even different approach to light and photography.
IN THE NAME OF THE BODY (analogue version)
Series of pubes created for my exhibition "Desa-Corps" which took place at See U in October/November 2021. The initial goal of this project is to show pubes without it being shocking or pornographic. In the collective imagination we find it easier to look at a vagina than a penis. Based on this principle, I wanted to mix the two organic sexes in this series to show that in the end "who cares" it is only about sex and that everything is in nature. — Thanks to my anonymous models.
PLUS BELLE LA VULVE
Je T'aime is a sexuality and body positive project. I slip into the privacy of those who love each other to bear witness that love exists whatever form it takes. Today it is difficult to bare oneself, especially in a society where we can no longer touch, see or feel each other. It's difficult to love yourself and others sometimes, not to mention that the period we're going through complicates things. This project also seeks to relieve people's inhibitions when it comes to questions about the body and sexuality. I don't select people, it's enough to have a healthy and clear outlook on this very sensitive and delicate project to work on. It's about dealing with the strength and sweetness of love...and if I can add a little surprise and something new on the networks, that delights me. It is also a musical project. I asked composer Victor Novak to collaborate by creating original compositions for each group to pose for me. The album is out. Each song has the title of the initials of the groups that passed in front of my lens.
JE T'AIME
Series produced for an exhibition given at the LGBTQIA+ Center in Paris center in the “Marais” district.
FLASH FLEURS
Series created for the PINK SCREEN festival event at the Galerie de la Reine in Brussels
MASTURBATE BRAIN
A series still based on the theme of love, whether for oneself or for others. The aim of this series is to put even more love into our Feeds on the networks and in the form of posters in our streets, because these are politically important areas. We're being individualized, whereas the revolution is made together and through love. If loving each other is political, then I'm making it my standard
LOVE IS REVOLUTION
Photo for the promotion of a collection of Latex and Vinyl clothing and accessories.
M.LATEX
Series created for a post-covid event / performance at Grand Place in Brussels.
RENAISSANCE
My Little Frames on Show at Cosmo Vintage: Art Meets Vintage A small, special exhibition at Cosmo Vintage in Aix en Provence, a unique thrift shop that celebrates fashion and objects from the past revisited. For those who don't know, a thrift shop is a place where you can find second-hand clothes and accessories, often steeped in history. These vintage treasures give a second life to pieces from the past, while adding a touch of authenticity and character to our daily lives. It's in this spirit of reinvention and sustainability that I'm pleased to present a series of photos exhibited in vintage frames recycled especially for the occasion. Each frame, found with care, is unique and carries with it a story and a personality. By reusing them in my work, I've sought to create a harmony between art and object, giving new life to these pieces from the past. This exhibition is an opportunity to discover how art and vintage come together to create something new and beautiful. The photos are enhanced by the frames that surround them, each combination carefully chosen to highlight the beauty and history of each piece.
LITTLES FRAMES AT COSMO VINTAGE
