Iria Leino: Open Secret

In 1932, Iria Leino, born in Finlande, began an international modeling career under the name IRIA, captivating Madame Grès and Karl Lagerfeld. After abandoning haute couture, she devoted herself to abstraction, seeking a spiritual expression beyond the art market. The exhibition ‘Open Secret’ at The Arts Club reveals an unknown body of work by this non-commercial painter, born in 1932, whose fluid and organic canvases bear witness to a unique practice. Leino, trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and influenced by Larry Poons at The Art Students League, developed a vibrant abstract language, marked by watercolor and pigments, exploring inner landscapes and meditative states. This major first exhibition in the United Kingdom highlights three key series: the ‘Color Field Series,’ the ‘Buddhist Rain Series,’ and her works on paper, offering a glimpse of her artistic evolution from the 1950s to the 1970s. Rediscovering the work of this artist, who prioritized spiritual exploration over commercial recognition, is a rare opportunity. Free and accessible from January 25th to April 26th, 2026.