About
Artur Leão, born in 1997, is a visual artist, designer and vocalist (Benthik Zone) based in Porto. He started working as a designer for scopio Editions, where he developed a special care for the art of visual storytelling and bookmaking. Since then, he has focused on developing photographic projects that reveal his inner process of imaginative transmutation while searching for archaeological sites, virgin and untouched-looking landscapes and people connected to the rural world in his forefather’s land. In his work, connections between poetry, mythology, and religion arise through a gaze that mirrors the language of “nature” in its incomprehensible complexity and reconditeness. He always captures scenarios where he sees potential for channelling a mystical dimension onto the surface of the image.
Education
Master’s degree in Visual Arts. Artistic Practices and Research at Escola Superior Artística do Porto (2021).
Group Shows
Fresh Eyes Talents at Haute Photographie, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2025)
You’re Innocent in Your Dreams, ZERO art space, Tokyo, Japan (2024)
ImageNation at Galerie Joseph Le Palais, Paris, France (2024)
Fresh Eyes Talents at Haute Photographie, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2024)
The Landscape Voices at Exhibition Pavilion FBAUP, Porto, Portugal (2023)
Visual Spaces of Change at Ci.CLO Photography Biennale, Porto, Portugal (2019)
Do Not Touch Fresh Paint! at Espaço MIRA, Porto, Portugal (2018)
Screenings
SUMMER showcase, Mutant Radio, Tbilisi, Georgia (2023)
Playlist #25, Café Candelabro, Porto, Portugal (2018)
Press and Features
Perimetro (2025)
Umbigo (2024)
Zerofeedback (2023)
Landscape Stories (2023)
Loud (2022)
Publications
FIGURES, Borders and Boundaries (2025)
Artsin Square, 5×7 Photobook (2025)
Fresh Eyes International, GUP Magazine (2025)
MOON, DITO Publishing (2024)
3rd Collective Book, Zone Magazine (2024)
Fresh Eyes International, GUP Magazine (2024)
Familiar Strangers, ephemere (2024)
Imperfect Poetry, Float Magazine (2024)
Fendas Intemporais, scopio Editions (2021)
Grants and Awards
Foto Slovo Award (2024), Honorable Mention
IPE 166 (2024), shortlist
Residencies
DÍNAMO gallery (2024)
Imersão na Paisagem, Caminhar, Parar, Reparar (2019)
Curation
Contrast III: Alteridade, Ausência e Origem, Portuguese Center of Photography, Porto, Portugal (2024)
Comissions
Quinta de Baixo Room, The Yeatman Hotel for Niepoort, Porto, Portugal (2018)
InterContinental Porto Hotel for Regina Pinheiro Studio, Portugal (2018)
Online Content Manager/Editor
Luis Ferreira Alves Photography Award
scopio Editions
Contrast
sophia journal
scopio magazine
Book Layout/Design
Contrast III, scopio Editions (2024)
Da Publicação da Alma Humana. Histórias, U. Porto Press (2024)
Sophia Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, scopio Editions (2023)
San Cataldo Cemitery by Mark Durden and João Leal, scopio Editions (2022)
Brion Memorial by Mark Durden and João Leal, scopio Editions (2022)
The Idea of Álvaro Siza: Ocean Swimming Pool by Mark Durden and João Leal, scopio Editions (2022)
Another Approach on the Works of Álvaro Siza, scopio Editions (2022)
Sophia Journal, Vol. 7, No. 1, scopio Editions (2022)
Contrast II, scopio Editions (2022)
Inclusão/Reclusão, Guilherme Macedo, Luís Ferreira Alves (2019)
Exhibition Design
Contrast III at Portuguese Center of Photography, Porto, Portugal (2024)
A mudança é eterna. Nada muda Nunca, Building of the Old Port Authority of Aveiro, Portugal (2024)
Contrast II at Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Portugal (2024)
Contrast II at Casa das Artes, Porto, Portugal (2023)
Contrast II at Galeria Cozinha, Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto, Portugal (2022)
Contrast II at Portuguese Center of Photography, Porto, Portugal (2022)
Visual Identity
Luis Ferreira Alves Photography Award (2025)
Coleção Lições, U. Porto Press (2024)
Element’U, Camilo Rebelo Architect (2022)
Website Design
Luis Ferreira Alves Photography Award (2025)
Merchandise
Benthik Zone, Eidolon (2022)
Posters
A mudança é eterna. Nada muda Nunca (2024)
Niepoort, Portas Abertas Party (2019)
Catalog
A mudança é eterna. Nada muda Nunca (2024)