Set and costume designer Leon Krasenstein doesn’t believe in suffering for his art. At 29 he is already a theatrical veteran whose sets and costumes have appeared on stage for the Australian Opera, the Ballet of Victoria, Bell Shakespeare and a list of fashion shoots that go on and on.
Today, he asks to meet at his gallery, Friends of Leon. The role of art curator is yet another of his creative incarnations.
The gallery like most spaces in Surry Hills looks like a converted terrace. The shop front is wall sized glass window and on it are what seem like millions of small white flowers that create an enormous peep-hole into another world.
Through a single French door a fair, fresh-faced young man extends his hand and introduces himself simply as Leon. It’s 10am and there is a slight chill in the air.
The small white room is bare except for a vase full of Gerbers wilting elegantly on the floor in the corner. Opposite are two white chairs, a round white table and on it a silver laptop. Of course it’s a Mac.
“The gallery has always been my side project and all of a sudden it became a bigger project and took a lot more of my time,” says Leon, his eyes flickering sideward to the laptop. Perhaps he’s waiting for an email.
He explains that he’s picked up another little job, a commercial that needs to be shot in the next two days.
“I think it’s important for artists to see themselves in a job, not just a hobby,” he says.
But looking at the black frames that perfectly align the powdery walls of the room it seems the plan didn’t include his brand of art.
“The very first exhibition was not very good it was my own work – large scale one off digital works. I call it, high-impact art. It was really successful, in Perth. We had sell out shows all the time, like huge exhibitions sold out in 30 minutes. But I won’t do it again because I don’t like the idea of representing myself,” says Leon.
Originally from Perth he saw Sydney as a cut throat and difficult so he decided to introduce dynamic artists and art from outside the city. Friends of Leon, he continues is part of a greater vision to foster creative connections both here and internationally.
“I want to sell work so that I can justify what I’m doing but also I invest a lot in the artist so if they sell then they leave the gallery inspired to create new and better work,” he explains.
Nearly three years on and the Friends of Leon gallery successfully attracts buyers and a loyal following. Clearly the prodigy from Perth has found his place in the big city.
“I just want to do what I’m doing and if I’m selling then that’s awesome because it means that I can keep going and keep doing it. When people say to me, stop. I say no, I’m not finished,” says Leon.
A soft bleep brings his laptop to life, it’s an email from a director. Another one.
By Marie-Eunice Alarcon
