About the artist:

Leonardo Voci was born in Shkodra in Albania, December 22nd 1968. Educated at the University of Tirana, Graduated in 1991. 1991-1994 Trained at p rivate art school in Italy by world famous restaurateur Lin Delia. Later in Augsberg, Germany by professor Gjelosh Gjokaj. Awarded the title of German Artist in 1996. 1994, Atelier Leonardo opened in Augsburg, Germany. Has been a professional artist for 11 years. Description of Style Mr. Leonardo Voci's unique approach utilizes a wide variety of mixed techniques that range from Acrylic, Oil and Gouache, implemented on surfaces that span from special and different papers to wood, canvas, and tile. His expertise in the field of modern art, with the infusion of classical legends and stories, has earned him the title "The Prince of Color." The daring experimental work he has done with tones, half-tones, and color, depict a harmonious series of images that incorporate many of the aspects of classical music. Never before has there been such a vibrant and organic demonstration of flowing colors. His unique and skillful approach centered on an aninteractive celebration of life itself, renders his creativity so original that is beyond duplication. By possessing such special and impressive originality that few others can claim, he is truly the Pictore Extravagante. To be in live attendance is the only way to truly appreciate the effect of the scale of some of the smaller pieces, which when displayed in a series, evoke a sense of linear interdependence, much like a visual symphony. Also his simplistic and exaggerated renderings of the human form, primarily the female human form, exemplify a ver charming sense of humor and sarcasm. Another aspect that sets him apart from others is the display of pieces in a n unframed format, arrayed upon tables like a feast so that the audience is invited to eat his art, rather than be consumed by it. For Mr. Leonard Voci, the echibition isn't something that should be someber and depressing but celebratory and invigorating. H s art is meant to create a sense of vitality. The dual ceictation of poems by Scottish poet Robert Burns in both English and Albanian is meant to demonstrate the feeling of kinship Mr. Leonardo Voci has with the bard. What made Burns different from other poets was his embrace of the visceral experience; the notion of anartist's hard life of enjoying drinking, women, and existence itself, juxtaposed to the sorrow of overwhelming poverty and adversity. The most defining charateristic of his work is the unifying theme of decadent extravagance. When presented in this impressive assembly, the work is meant to inspire within each member of the audience a new-found appreciation for the importance of not merely reveling in life's rewards, but doing so in great abundance. For Voci, this needs to be recognized as an imperative, and not simply an idle option. "A good artist cannot be complete withoutunderstand of and dedication to all branches of art: opera, classical music, theatre and dram, fil and cinematography, philosophy, psychology, poetry. To bring all of this together requires a great del of energy; to be extravagant." The channeling of this energy both as fuel to live and life itself as seen through color and form, is to truly understand what it is to be in the resence of art that is both exaggerated and realistic, embellished and actual, and always energetic and extravagant. The presentation is alive, different, and accessible, with an overall quality of sophisticated elegance. There is an open invitation to the viewer to experience the work as something capable of both interaction and reciprocation of feeling and emotion.