Born for art

Léon Akwadal was born on 17 August 1959 in Colmar, in the Haut-Rhin department (68), a region rich in cultural and historical heritage located at the intersection of three borders. From an early age, Léon showed a keen interest in the visual arts. It was at the age of 18, in 1977, that he received his first introduction to painting, a key moment that marked the beginning of his artistic career.

First Steps

In 1981, Léon Akwadal organized his first exhibition in Colmar, presenting landscapes in watercolor and ink on 300g Lanaquarelle cotton paper. This first public experience met with modest but encouraging success, and Léon began to attract the attention of local art lovers.

Recognition and Exhibitions

Léon Akwadal began exhibiting regularly in cities such as Colmar, Strasbourg, Albertville, Collioure, Tours, Paris, Rome, Soissons, Épernay and many others. His works appealed to both private collectors and galleries, with pieces on display in Paris, Philadelphia, London, Rome, Prague, Colmar, Strasbourg and Frankfurt, among others.

At the same time, Léon participated in numerous group exhibitions in Ettlingen, Clevedon, Middelkerke, Montespertoli, Rome, Bordeaux, and Weston, Vermont, thereby increasing his experience in contact with different cultures and creative personalities.

Training and Influences

Léon Akwadal was trained by renowned masters such as Marcel Langlois de Villemeson, Claude Candella, Robert Moullé and Renaud Archambault de Beaune. Each of these mentors made a significant contribution to his artistic development, enabling him to diversify and refine his techniques. Several stays in sub-Saharan Africa defined his approach and the direction of his pictorial research.

An International Workshop

With a studio based in Vetralla, Italy, and then in Mulhouse, Alsace, Léon continues to explore new techniques and materials. His current medium of choice is acrylic on fine canvas mounted on 280 g/m² jute canvas, a technique that gives his works a rich texture and unique depth. He signs his works on the back under the name Léon Akwadal.

Life in Italy and recent exhibitions

Among his most notable recent exhibitions before leaving Italy are the Spazio Visivo gallery in Rome in 2011, the RT gallery in Pézenas in 2015, the Cimi gallery in Rome in 2016 and the Art GAp Rome gallery from 2017 to 2022.

Léon Akwadal’s art is an invitation to a sensory journey where each work tells a unique story, marked by impressive technical mastery and an undeniable passion for painting.

Return to his roots

In 2021, after more than a decade in Italy, Léon Akwadal decided to return to Colmar. This return to his roots was motivated by a desire to reconnect with his heritage and draw new inspiration from the landscapes and atmosphere of his native region. This return marks a new chapter in his career, in which he continues to create and exhibit his works with a renewed perspective.