Oil Painting
Catalina Leichner
Catalina Leichner is an Argentinian artist based in Melbourne, her artistic journey started at a young age, studying painting and drawing under various masters of Argentine art.
Artist Profile
Catalina Leichner is an Argentinian artist based in Melbourne, her artistic journey started at a young age, studying painting and drawing under various masters of Argentine art, including Ernesto Pesce. She pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage at the Faculty of Arts, University of the Argentine Social Museum (UMSA). She also accumulated ten years of experience working in the Collection Management area at the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA). Her artistic exploration extends to sculpture and ceramics.
Catalina has always had her artistic practice deeply connected to nature—its chaos, beauty, and transformation. Themes of life and death create a tension that permeates her work. She is inspired by altered landscapes, which manifest some of her most compelling pieces. For Leichner, painting serves as a path to self-knowledge and spiritual exploration, and she aims to transmit this passion through her brush and various mediums.
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I work with a variety of mediums because I prefer to stay flexible. However, watercolors and water-mixable oils are definitely my first choices, as they are environmentally friendly and less harmful to my health. I believe that sustainability in art is fundamental for fostering a more conscious society.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
It first starts with an idea (usually not very clear), and over time, it matures on the canvas as I make decisions based on where the inspiration leads me. This "time" I mention is often no more than one day. I consider myself more of an expressive artist rather than one focused on details. For me, it’s all about the moment and the emotions I am experiencing.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
Right now, I am more of a nomadic artist. I tend to move around frequently, and my atelier space often changes. I've discovered that the dream space I had always imagined was actually within me all along, as I explore the world.
Career Highlights
- Solo exhibition in Buenos Aires in 2023 where she sold her paintings for charity to reforestation purposes along with the Amigos de la Patagonia organization
- Worked for the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires for almost 10 years, collaborating alongside legendary Argentine artists and contributing to their exhibitions
