Leo Loscher is a young artist born in Naarm (Melbourne) and is currently in Year 12 at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. Leo has always been interested in art and creative activities, and is now focused on experimenting and developing his artistic practice.
Whilst Leo uses a range of mediums and methods in his work, he is currently focused on oil painting. Leo’s transexuality constantly influences his art making in his attempt to express himself and his experiences, and his works often aim to convey trans joy.
Whilst Leo uses a range of mediums and methods in his work, he is currently focused on oil painting. Leo’s transexuality constantly influences his art making in his attempt to express himself and his experiences, and his works often aim to convey trans joy.
Pesto Pasta (2022)
Oil on canvas
Pesto Pasta is largely about self acceptance and comfort in oneself. Before beginning his transition, Leo viewed his exploration of sexuality as secondary to his exploration of gender. This painting portrays his contentment in his identity after finding out he is a gay man, and contentment in his transition.
This self portrait is combined with green carnations, a historical symbol for gay men, tying the figure to the flowers with the use of a consistent warm green. To be displayed, carnations are often pulled or ripped open in order to appear fuller. However, in this work the flowers are partially closed, showing an undisturbed peaceful state of being.
This self portrait is combined with green carnations, a historical symbol for gay men, tying the figure to the flowers with the use of a consistent warm green. To be displayed, carnations are often pulled or ripped open in order to appear fuller. However, in this work the flowers are partially closed, showing an undisturbed peaceful state of being.
The Soldier and Lamia (2022)
Oil on canvas
The Soldier and Lamia portrays transexual relationships in a space outside the critical eye of cis perspectives. This painting depicts the way trans people can love and appreciate each other and their transness in a way sometimes similar to worship, exaggerated by the star-like halo in the work. If creation can be seen as a holy endeavour, then transexuals, who so often must recreate themselves, are holy as well.
Leo aims to convey a distinct gender queerness and subversion of gender roles and stereotypes through the reversal of traditional heavily gendered roles in fairytales and myths. Leo’s work appropriates Lamia and the Soldier by John William waterhouse, and adds queerness to this historic painting.
Untitled (2022)
Oil on board
Untitled expresses Leo’s need for fluidity and change, through the whimsical human-like fish and the watery quality of the work.
This painting began as a series of sketches that Leo expanded on before finalising it as a painting and interpreting the intent behind it. Leo experimented with a thinner application of paint in order to create a glowing quality, adding warmth within the murky background and creating a hopeful feel despite the melancholy faces.
This painting began as a series of sketches that Leo expanded on before finalising it as a painting and interpreting the intent behind it. Leo experimented with a thinner application of paint in order to create a glowing quality, adding warmth within the murky background and creating a hopeful feel despite the melancholy faces.