Clement Leonardo

Trained at The School for American Craftsmen at Rochester Institute of Technology, Clement Leonardo began his creative journey studying clay, glass, wood, metal, and textiles. But the solitary nature of the studio never quite suited him. After graduating at age 20, he stepped away from the wheel and found creative fulfillment in less expected places. He spent years in the visual display department of a traditional department store, then launched his own company designing immersive environments for large scale events including weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.
Years later, just before the pandemic began, he built a ceramic studio on his property without knowing how essential it would become. Since then, he hasn’t stopped working.
Clement’s process is intuitive, sculptural, and deliberately untraditional. He doesn’t draw or sketch. Instead, he builds directly from vision, assembling his pieces from hand pressed and slab formed parts over the course of several days. Carving and coiling are absent from his practice, replaced by a fascination with exaggerated forms and protruding shapes. Each piece is approached as a one off. Repetition doesn't interest him; he’s always thinking ahead to the next idea. His work is made to live in environments with a strong sense of character, whether curated by a designer or a client with a sharp eye.