Leonardo Vecchiarelli: La Grande Transizione, Women Warriors meet Oriental Empresses

The Grande Transizione is a cycle all put together like an armed battalion. There are thirty pictures of women warriors, dressed and decorated with the keen eye of a samurai preparing for battle, inspired by oriental empresses. Hidden amongst these females is a single male figure, the artist himself, Leonardo Vecchiarelli.

Each portrait has a title extracted from the literary and mythical culture of the Orient: the shaman, the samurai woman, the creator of human kind, the temple of purity... Every image has complex meanings and symbolisms all woven together. Women assume the role of mediators and with determination, authority, intuition and strength, can help us to renew our lost sense of belonging.

As a young boy, Leonardo Vecchiarelli found his calling in cinematography, specializing in photography and choreography at the "Cinematic Devises School" of Roberto Rossellini and the "National Academy of dramatic Art" Silvio D'Amico in Rome. Former assistant to Gianpaolo Barbieri, Steven Klein and to Douglas Kirkland, the Italian born artist started working with magazines including Harper's Bazaar, French Vogue, German Glamour, Italian Vogue and more...
Leonardo photographed international campaigns, such as Trussardi, Fay by Tod's, Faber, Maria Buccellati among others.
The Grande Transizione is currently on exhibit at Studio Guastalla Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Milan.

© Leonardo Vecchiarelli

Jo Sen'shi - Bene (Maria Buccellati), 2011