Having been raised a devout Catholic, later educated as an illustrator, and presently neither one nor the other, Kevin Ledo's orientation in painting is in reaction to the two. Ledo's work is captivated by ethereal wonderment and is tangled in idealism, beauty vs. divinity, mythology and mysticism.
“Through my paintings, I am attempting to discern what it is, at the base of our being, we all wish to fulfill; and in attempt at finding such fulfillment, what hopes, aspirations and fears materialize.”
Ledo is a Portuguese Canadian who grew up in a mix of ethnic and urban cultures in Montreal. From skate and rave, punk and metal, to hip hop and techno, Ledo found a love for it all. Today these influences have become a part of his makeup, life and creativity. While art and painting have always been present in Ledo's life, he set out on his path to becoming a full time painter in 2005.
Ledo recently exhibited at ModeMuseum in Hasselt, Belgium, is represented by Ayden Gallery in Vancouver and often collaborates with the EN MASSE art project in Montreal. Ledo has been featured in Juxtapoz Magazine, Cool Hunting and numerous other publications and media including CBC Radio1 and the Montreal Mirror. Ledo's paintings are internationally collected.
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français
Ayant été élevé dans un fervent catholicisme, suivant ensuite une formation d'illustrateur, et présentement ni l'un ni l'autre, l'orientation de Kevin Ledo dans la peinture découle d'une réaction face aux deux. Le travail de Ledo se laisse intriguer par un émerveillement impalpable, et s'emmêlé dans l'idéalisme, la beauté contre la divinité, la mythologie et le mysticisme.
“À travers ma peinture, j'essaie de discerner ce que, à la base de notre être, nous souhaitons tous accomplir ; et dans une tentative de trouver un tel accomplissement, ces espoirs, aspirations et craintes se matérialisent.”
Ledo est un Canadien d'origine portugaise qui, grandissant à Montréal, a baigné longtemps dans un mélange de cultures ethniques et urbaines. Du skate et rave, punk et métal, à hip-hop et techno, Ledo s'est épris de chacun. Aujourd'hui, ces influences sont devenues une partie insécable de son caractère, de sa vie et de sa créativité. Malgré le fait que l'art et la peinture aient toujours été présents dans la vie de Ledo, il débute sa carrière de peintre à temps plein en 2005.
Ledo a récemment exposé au Musée ModeMuseum à Hasselt en Belgique, est representé par la Gallerie Ayden à Vancouver, et il collabore régulièrement avec l'organisation artistique EN MASSE à Montréal. De plus, Ledo a été présenté dans le magazine Juxtapoz, Cool Hunting ainsi que plusieurs autres publications et medias, incluant CBC Radio1 ainsi que le Montreal Mirror. Les œuvres de Ledo se trouvent dans des collections à l'échelle planétaire.
PRESS
Montreal Gazette “Collaboration draws the community into art” by John Pohl August 13th, 2011 www.montrealgazette.com
ModeMuseum Exhibition Catalogue for Devine / Devout “Sisters Divine, Sinners De Lux” by Mark Armstrong June 26th, 2010 http://www.modemuseumhasselt.be/
March 2010, Velvet Renaissance, Velvet Speakeasy, Montreal September 2008, The Art of Mix and Mingle, The Richmond, Toronto June 2008, Persuasion, Ctrl Lab, Montreal March 2008, The Guiding Light, Station-C, Montreal January 2007, The Guiding Light, Galerie Le Kop Shop, Montreal
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITION
March 2011, En Masse Retrospective, Galerie Pangee, Montreal Exhibition with artists including Jason Botkin, Rupert Bottenburg , Omen and numerous other artists in a series of collaborative paintings
February 2011, Seventh, Ayden Gallery, Vancouver Exhibition with artists including Ben Tour, Camilla d'Errico and Kristian Adam Curator: Ken Lum
Sept 2010, 11|12|09|10, CrossCheck Studio, Montreal Exhibition with Tasha Aulls, Dominique Desbiens and Sarah Marcotte-Boislard Curator: Angela Carter
July 2010, Larger than Life, Ayden Gallery, Vancouver Exhibition with William Chad Willsie, Indigo and Morgan Jeske Curator: Ken Lum
June 2010, Devout/Divine – Fashion vs Religion, MODEMUSEUM Hasselt, Belgium
February 2010, EN MASSE, Eaton's Centre, Montreal Collaboration with numerous artists including Jason Botkin, Tim Bernard, Omen and Rupert Bottenberg Curators: Jason Botkin and Rupert Bottenberg
October 2009, Smile I'm Your Brother, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City Curator: Mike Giles and Bob Kronbauer
September 2009,Configuration of Posture, Pose and Purpose, Ayden Gallery, Vancouver Exhibition with artists including Ben Tour, Mandy Tsung, and Jordan Bent Curator: Ken Lum
August 2009, Poor Traits, Headquarters Gallery, Montreal Curator: Jason Botkin and James Curr?July 2009,
Two Brownies and an Olive, Headquarters Gallery, Montreal Exhibition with Melanie Garcia and Shabana Ali
December 2008, Photo Op, Galerie Plum, Montreal Curator: Amanda MacDonald
August 2008, Art Undressed, Just for Laughs Museum, Montreal Curator: Conseil des arts du Québec
March 2008, The Sexy Show, Galerie Headquarters, Montreal Curator: James Curr
November 2007, Modèle Behaviour, Galerie Pangée, Montreal Exhibited with Gabriel Dawe, Melanie Garcia and Christophe Luxereau Curator: Eric Bolduc
November 2007, The Light Show, Headquarters Galerie, Montreal Curator: Jen Storey?June 2007, Pindemonium, Articule, Montreal Curator: Melissa Campbell and Lisa Fitzhugh
March 2007, Untitled, YAWA, Vancouver Exhibited with Camilla D'Errico, Curtis Hoines and Megz Curator: Graham Ling
August 2006, Warrior Magazine Group Art Show, Blizzarts, Montreal Curator: Andrew Hunter
July 2006, Untitled, Ayden Gallery, Vancouver Curator: Kenneth Lum
June 2006, Sensual Art Show, Ucluelet Curator: Marla Thirsk
June 2006, Food and Wine Festival, Tofino Curator: Marla Thirsk
May 2006, You And Whose Army?, Vancouver Exhibit with Dale Nigel Goble Curator: Graham Ling
December 2005, You And Whose Army?, Vancouver Exhibited with Jennifer Kleinsteuber and Marcus Macleod Curator: Kenneth Lum
November 2005, Hairball, Arts Club, Vancouver Curator: Kenneth Lum
REPRESENTATION
Myra Gallery, Miami Ayden Gallery, Vancouver Galerie Klimantiris, Montreal
EDUCATION
1999- DEC, Illustration and Design, Dawson College, Montreal