Susan Kleinberg had been diagnosed with cancer for over two decades when she took what her husband Les Guthman called “a leap of faith at a very dark time.” In 2020, the bi-coastal artist woke up from her fourth cancer surgery with her right leg paralyzed. Her surgeon had unknowingly severed the femoral nerve in her leg, and Kleinberg would never walk again without assistance. Amid her recovery, Kleinberg became infatuated with a video of two dolphins swimming in a canal in Venice, the water ostensibly clear because of the shutdown of tourism during the pandemic. Though she would eventually find out the dolphins were swimming in Sardinian waters, Kleinberg fell in love with the idea of dolphins in Venice. They represented a sort of cleansing and renewal during a time of despair. Her subsequent series of paintings would be fittingly titled LEAP!

Prior to her passing in December 2023, Kleinberg said that the collection is “an offer of a moment of wonder.” Coincidentally, a year after Kleinberg began LEAP!, two dolphins were spotted in Venice’s Grand Canal. Both the varied texture and tones of the collection inspire reflections on the wonderment of serendipity. Kleinberg’s brushstrokes trace the path of the dolphins' courtship, evoking a sort of mating dance, some more fervent than others.

A close friend of Kleinberg and Guthman shares that LEAP! “radiates Susan’s creative joy, love of the world, and generosity of feeling.”

Beyond LEAP!, Kleinberg was a renowned artist with a career spanning several decades. She studied under influential artists like Jim Turrell and Robert Morris, and her work gained early recognition with a show at Leo Castelli's gallery alongside American graphic artist Robert Rauschenberg. Kleinberg's art often engaged with significant cultural and historical themes. Notable works include "Spozalizio del Mare," a floating installation in Venice's Grand Canal for the 1995 Biennale, and "Fear Not," a video piece exploring courage that was exhibited at the 2001 Biennale. 

She continued to be a regular presence at the Venice Biennale, showcasing works like "Blood Roll" (2005), "Tierra Sin Males" (2011), "KAIROS" (2015), and "BALAFRE" (2017). In her later career, Kleinberg collaborated with the Louvre's scientific team, using advanced microscopy to create video installations. Throughout her life, she exhibited globally and evolved her work across various media, leaving a lasting impact on the art world. LEAP! is a small yet significant addition to Kleinberg’s expansive legacy.