Leonard von Brenndorff

Leonard von Brenndorff (he/him, b. 1994, Filderstadt, Germany) is an artist and multidisciplinary designer working with objects, print, spaces, and events. He is currently studying at Sandberg Instituut, Amsterdam with the department for Immediate Spaces.

Trained as a professional carpenter in Bavaria, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cologne in 2022. His accolades include the Kölner Design Preis, Cartes Blanches of Passagen 24, and a scholarship from Kölner Gymnasial- und Stiftungsfonds. His work has been showcased in venues such as MAKK (Museum of Applied Arts Cologne), Kunsthalle Lindenthal, Galerie Neueröffnung and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. As a co-creator of "Noplace," an art space, collective, and event series, he collaborates with Cologne collectives exploring cooperative living and working.

Statement

My artistic practice focusses on systemic structures of extraction that drive disconnection—whether through labor exploitation, environmental displacement, or land commodification. My work examines the structural separation of humans from their surroundings. As a trained carpenter, I value fine craftsmanship and material sensitivity. Craft connects people to the earth through technology, fostering belonging by merging social and material practices. My art often includes physical tools, reflecting my belief in their power to create connection. I design works to be used, altered, and reintegrated into natural cycles, viewing them as temporary assemblages rather than fixed entities. Previously, I worked on collective urban spaces and their architectural dynamics. At Sandberg Instituut, I am researching human-forest relationships, focusing on ecosystem transformations and dissolving extractivist views of what we call nature.

Exhibitions

2025 ONE First Year Show, Studio for Immediate Spaces,
Sandberg Instituut

2024 NO-SOLO SHOW/ Passagen 24, CARTES BLANCHES

2023 Passagen, Interior Design Week Köln w/ mingbud

2023 Artbay, Kunsthalle Lindenthal

2023 Funk Magazin, Raum für unabhängige Magazine

2022 NOPLACE - progressive working community and interdisciplinary open space, Kölner Design Preis, MAKK

2022 Ein Entwurf kooperativen Widerstands, Book Launch, noplace

2020 Exibition Design + We Are Strong - Kölnberg, Ökorausch, MAKK

Awards

2022 Award Winner Kölner Design Preis

2022 Final 300 iF Design Young Talent Award

2022 Prüfungswettbewerb BA Sustainable Design

2020 Auszeichnung Ausstellungsarchitektur Ökorausch Think Tank

2020 WDR Kinderrechtspreis