Leo Costelloe: Subversive Jewellery and Sculptural Art Objects

Leo Costelloe is an Irish-Australian artist and designer based in London, specializing in the creation of jewellery and small sculptural objects. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, Leo Costelloe has developed a distinct practice that often subverts hyper-feminine motifs such as ribbons, bows, and domestic icons, rendering them in materials like silver, glass, and hair. The work is frequently described as both delicate and sinister, exploring the intersections of queerness, sentimentality, and memory. Through technical expertise in silversmithing and a conceptual focus on material culture, Leo Costelloe creates pieces that range from wearable adornments to ephemeral installations. Notable works include the 'Love letters' series and explorations into the 'coquette' aesthetic, which are often showcased in solo and group exhibitions across London galleries like NEVEN and Kupfer. The practice emphasizes the emotional weight of objects, drawing on historical and digital lexicons of femininity to recast familiar utilitarian signifiers. By combining traditional craftsmanship with a subversive artistic vision, Leo Costelloe continues to influence the contemporary landscape of fashion and fine art.