The potent connection between art and intimacy is the subject of a new film from London-based director Stephen Isaac-Wilson. A contemporary response to Barbican's Modern Couples: Art, Intimacy and the Avant-garde exhibition, exploring the relationship between famous creative duos including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali and Federico García Lorca, Isaac-Wilson's film picks up on the show's themes of liberation, transgression and collaboration.

Speaking about this lyrical ode to the creative act, Isaac-Wilson explains: "Leap explores the power and beauty of artistic queer relationships, their contribution to and influence on the world of art."  

"This film is about the wonderful people who enter your world, both fleeting and long-term, those who leave a lasting impression on you," he continues. "It's about the act of being vulnerable with someone, and the power and influence that has over our art— but, more importantly, over our lives."

Modern Couples: Art, Intimacy, and the Avant-garde is showing at Barbican, in London, until 27 January 2019. More information here.

Featured artists in Leap

Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings

An artist couple represented by Arcadia Missa

Adam and Ben Wells

Art artist twins who recently graduated from Goldsmiths and now make work together

Gaby Sahar and Lily Cheetah Nicol

Are multidisciplinary artist who also co-run the the artist support network, Queer Direct

Alek Ikhide and Kacion Mayers

Are a visual artist and writer respectively based in London

Chloe Fiilani

Is a performance artist and has worked with the Tate and ICA

Harry Alexander

Is a dancer and model with the Michael Clark Company

Jermaine Ampomah

Is a creative collaborator based in East London