New Voices and Old Masters: Xavier Laurent Leopold featured alongside Jean-MichelBasquiat at The Bishop Gallery’s ‘Legacy’ exhibition in New York

Xavier Laurent Leopold, an emerging multidisciplinary artist, is
honoured to announce his participation in the group exhibition ‘Legacy’ at The Bishop
Gallery, a distinguished black-owned gallery in Brooklyn. The exhibition which opened on
20th April, and will show until 27th April, features Leopold’s work, ‘Perseverance
Personified’, displayed alongside an original early work by the iconic Jean-Michel Basquiat.

“I have always admired and been deeply inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s works. As
self-taught artists with Creole heritage, it feels particularly poignant to have my work
exhibited alongside his, especially here in New York, Basquiat’s home city,” says Leopold.
“This opportunity allows me to not only share my narrative but also to resonate with the
enduring legacy of a fellow trailblazer in the art world.”
Discovering his artistry during the challenging times of the pandemic in 2020 and while
working as a full time City Trader, Leopold has rapidly ascended in the art scene. His artistic
endeavors have led him to showcase his work at two solo exhibitions in London and various
group exhibitions across Europe.

In 2023, Leopold expanded the boundaries of his practice by venturing into the realm of
sculpture, debuting his first piece at the prestigious Mall Galleries. Demonstrating his
commitment to perfecting his craft, Leopold was recently accepted into the Royal College of
Arts for an MA in Sculpture for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Leopold’s commitment to philanthropy and social activism extends across his multifaceted
efforts to promote mental wellness. Notably, Xavier authored and illustrated Art for The Heart
in 2022, a children’s fill in and activity journal aimed at fostering mental wellness through
creativity. This influential book is globally distributed, including in prestigious institutions like
MoMA New York and the TATE in London. It is also part of the Black Cultural Archives in
Brixton. He delivers workshops based on the book in London primary schools.

Additionally, Xavier has raised £65,000 for the charity Black Minds Matter UK, reinforcing his
dedication to mental health advocacy. Xavier is a ‘Champion’ of Place2Be, a charity under
the patronage of The Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton.

Leopold’s influence extends beyond his artwork and philanthropic endeavors into the
academic and cultural spheres. He has shared his expertise as a guest lecturer at the
University of East London, where he has enriched the educational experience with his
insights on art and creativity. Further solidifying his role as a thought leader, Xavier has
participated as a panellist at several notable events. Most recently, he lent his voice to
‘Together We Thrive,’ a fundraising event curated by Sotheby’s Institute and Culture&, where
he discussed diversity in the art world.
Born in 1992 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to a Sierra Leonean father and a Martiniquais
mother, Xavier now resides in South London.

Art enthusiasts and critics are invited to explore the profound narratives and visual
explorations of Xavier Laurent Leopold during the ‘Legacy’ exhibition at The Bishop Gallery.
Website: byxaviart.com
Instagram handles: byxaviart | arttheheartbook