Leoni A. Jäkel: Nature and Identity
In spring 2025, a bilingual monograph about Leoni A. Jäkel, also known under her artistic name LEONI (or in Greek: ΛΕωΝΙ), is published by ArtForum Editions. LEONI is a compelling voice within the contemporary art scene. She lives and works between Germany and Greece, maintaining studios in the vibrant art city of Cologne and in the picturesque town of Leonidio on the Peloponnese. In Leonidio, she has transformed a traditional village house overlooking the Aegean Sea into a serene creative space that deeply informs her artistic practice. Her close bond with both places is vividly reflected in the emotional depth and thematic richness of her work
Two Cultures, One Artistic Language
Drawing upon the experience of two countries, Leoni blends the emotional depth of the Greek landscape with the intellectual rigour of abstract tradition. Water and land emerge as powerful metaphors in her work: water symbolises change, emotion, and movement; land stands for roots, boundaries, and belonging. For Leoni, these elements are not mere motifs, but symbols of the search for one's place in an ever-changing world.
Art as an Act of Social Responsibility
For Leoni A. Jäkel, art is never apolitical. Even in works that seem abstract, art remains a form of engagement. Feminist perspectives run like a thread through her creations: she challenges traditional gender roles, questions the visibility of women in the art world, and invites viewers to reflect critically on established narratives and structures.
Nature as Mirror and Warning
In Leoni A. Jäkel’s artistic vision, water and landscape emerge as powerful symbols of change, belonging, and emotional resonance. The flowing movement of waves evokes cycles of renewal and the constant transformation of identity, while the enduring presence of land reflects roots, memory, and the search for stability. Through her sensitive engagement with natural elements, Jäkel invites viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between human existence and the environment — a relationship as dynamic and fragile as the waves themselves.
Nature holds a central place in Leoni’s oeuvre—not only as an inspiration but also as a mirror of human existence. Her work conveys a profound reverence for the natural world, accompanied by a clear message:
“The way I observe and perceive nature inevitably leads to a broader understanding and deeper insights. In this sense, I view my art as a warning to the future.”
Her artwork invite audiences to regard nature not merely as an aesthetic phenomenon but as the very source of life—something that must be cherished and protected.
Art Education as Lived Commitment
Leoni’s commitment extends beyond her own artistic practice. Through her Cologne art school, she teaches children, young people, and adults, encouraging them to discover their own creative expressions. Her approach to teaching embodies the belief that creativity is a potent force for societal change and personal empowerment.
A Distinctive Voice of Our Time
Leoni’s work has been exhibited in renowned institutions such as the Federal Court of Auditors in Bonn, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Cologne, and Deutsche Welle in Bonn. Her works are part of museum collections, including the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb and the City Museum of Leonidio in Greece. Her international presence underscores the broad relevance and impact of her work.
Leoni A. Jäkel succeeds in translating complex themes—identity, environmental consciousness, and feminism—into a compelling artistic language. Her creations are not only aesthetically moving but also challenge us to rethink our relationship with the world we inhabit.
As an artist, educator, and advocate for the future, she has established herself as one of the vital voices of contemporary art—one whose influence is set to grow even further. (CK)
New Publication
"LEONI / ΛΕωΝΙ – Elements and Identity: Water, Land and Self-Image in the Work of Leoni A. Jäkel"
featuring contributions by various art critics, edited by Leonardo Safiriou and Peter Merten.
The bilingual edition (Greek - German) presents a nuanced portrait of an artist whose work interlaces nature, identity, and social engagement in unique ways.
Publisher: KPM/ArtForum Editions, Thessaloniki | Athens, ISBN 978-3-910694-09-5
RRP 45 EUR | 49 USD
Note: In this context, it is also worth mentioning the earlier 2022 publication on the Greek artist Pantelis Tsatsis, whose monograph
“The World We Live With – Contribution to Art and Ecology”
(edited by Peter Merten & Leonardo Safiriou, KPM/ArtForum Editions, Thessaloniki | Athens, ISBN 978-3-910694-01-9)impressively highlights the urgency of art’s dialogue with ecological responsibility today.