Leandro D. Andrade lives and works in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil. He is currently pursuing a degree in Visual Arts. His poetic research investigates the forest undergrowth and the beings that inhabit it, using painting to reveal its magical and almost supernatural atmosphere.
Recently selected with two artworks for the 2026 Vinhedo Visual Arts Salon (Salão de Artes Visuais de Vinhedo), he has held solo exhibitions, regularly participates in various group exhibitions, and is active in artists’ collectives. His work is featured in private collections, most notably in the collection of Stefano Mancuso in Florence, Italy—an author who also serves as one of his primary sources of bibliographic research and theoretical inspiration.
Artist Statement
We live in a rush, surrounded by an urgency that distances us from the essential. My work investigates what we find when we slow down and truly look. In this exercise of mindfulness, green emerges from the dark as a supernatural, almost magical force, eclipsing the background and embracing diverse forms of life. This is why I use black paper as the foundation for many of my pieces. Darkness, here, represents our lack of attention. Soft pastel—a fragile and delicate medium—reveals through its colors the life that shines in the dark.
Awards
- Honorable Mention – “Artcom Expo International and Acropolis Studio de Arte” (2018)
Institutional Collections
Private Collections
- Stefano Mancuso, Florence, Italy
- Rita Damasceno, São Paulo, Brazil
- Michelly Bessa, São Paulo, Brazil
- Teresa Cristina Bendini, São Paulo, Brazil
Solo Exhibitions
2026
- "What Shines in the Dark" (O que Brilha no Escuro), Casa de Cultura Villa Santo Aleixo, Taubaté/SP, Brazil
- "What Shines in the Dark" (O que Brilha no Escuro), Espaço Georgina de Albuquerque, City Council of Taubaté, Taubaté/SP, Brazil
2025
Group Exhibitions
2026
- Vinhedo Visual Arts Salon (Salão de Artes Visuais de Vinhedo/SAV) | Vinhedo, SP. Selected works: "Vigia" and "Troca"
2025
- Praça Viva no Casarão Villa Santo Aleixo, Taubaté/SP
- Praça Viva em Lagoinha, Lagoinha/SP
- Praça Viva no Museu, Espaço “Francisco Leopoldo e Silva”, Taubaté/SP
- IV Mostra de Arte Coletiva – As Taubateanas – 2025 Pinacoteca “Anderson Fabiano”, Taubaté/SP - Curadoria Michelly Bessa
- Praça Viva no Via Vale Shopping, Taubaté/SP
- Georgina, from Taubaté to the World, Centro Cultural "Toninho Mendes", Taubaté/SP
- XXI Art Exhibition of the Paraíba Valley, Mountain Region and North Coast, Pinacoteca “Anderson Fabiano”, Taubaté/SP (Curated by Michelly Bessa)
2024
- V Collective Art Exhibition – Afro-Brazilian Culture, Espaço “Francisco Leopoldo e Silva”, Taubaté/SP
- “From the Heart to Art” Exhibition (Do Coração à Arte), Acropolis, Taubaté/SP
- XX Mostra de Arte do Vale do Paraíba, Região Serrana e Litoral Norte - Pinacoteca “Anderson Fabiano”, Taubaté/SP - Curadoria Michelly Bessa
2023
- XIX Art Exhibition of the Paraíba Valley, Mountain Region and North Coast, Pinacoteca “Anderson Fabiano”, Taubaté/SP (Curated by Michelly Bessa)
Education & Selected Courses
2026
- Curatorial and Exhibition Practices – MASP (Museum of Art of São Paulo)
- Histories of Modern Art – MASP
- Sociology of Contemporary Black Culture – USP (University of São Paulo)
- Afro-Brazilian Traditional Knowledge – Federal Institute of Campos do Jordão
2025
- Curating in Visual Arts – Escult (UFRB)
- Cultural Project Management – Escult (MINC)
- Artificial Intelligence and Culture – Escult (UFRB)
- Cultural Production Assistant – Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul
- Heritage Education: Curriculum, Concept, and Themes – Enap
- Fundraising for Museums – Enap
- Heritage Education and Art (Iphan) – Enap
- How to Make an Exhibition – IBRAM (Brazilian Institute of Museums)
- Accessibility in Museums – Enap
- Cultural Agent – Federal Institute of Goiás
- Analyst and Reviewer of Cultural Projects – Escult (UFRB)
Volunteer Work
- Visual Arts Councilor – Municipal Council of Culture of Taubaté (2024–2026)
Projects
Last updated: May 29, 2026.