Artist: Brian Calvin
Title: Plant Life
Size: (36.5 x 15.5 x 7 cm)
Medium: Bronze
Edition: of 40
Year: 2021
Notes: Signed & Numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Artwork is in excellent condition. Original COA and Box Included.
Exploring Brian Calvin: Bridging Figuration and Abstraction
In the vibrant art scene of the 1990s, Brian Calvin embarked on a creative journey that would define his unique artistic identity. His oeuvre evolved into a figurative, non-narrative, and pictorial style, marked by the fusion of landscapes and portraits infused with his Californian heritage. His approach to subjects involved an intimate, close-up treatment, characterized by highly composed structures and an infusion of luminous, flat colors. This amalgamation of elements endowed his large-scale paintings with an intriguing sense of temporal otherness, inviting viewers to contemplate the unusual.
A closer examination of Calvin's technique reveals a subtle abstraction in the representation of certain details. These details unveil the profound purpose behind his work, emphasizing the primacy of visual contemplation concerning painting itself and its boundless potential. He eloquently states, "I prefer to experience abstraction through the creation and tending of images. Painting provides the medium."
Biography and Notable Exhibitions:
Biography: Born in 1969 in Visalia, California, Brian Calvin now resides and works in Los Angeles, California. He pursued his MFA at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago in 1994.
Selected Solo Exhibitions: Calvin's artistic journey has been punctuated by significant solo exhibitions, including "Still" at Palazzo Cavanis, Venice in 2023 and "More" at Almine Rech, Brussels, Belgium in 2022. His work has also graced galleries such as Corvi-Mora in London and Corbett vs. Dempsey in Chicago, showcasing his diverse artistic range.
Selected Group Exhibitions and Collections:
Group Exhibitions: Brian Calvin's work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions around the world. Noteworthy examples include "American Genre: Contemporary Painting" at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine (2017), and "Los Angeles: A Fiction" at Astrup Fearnley Museet in Oslo (2016).
Collections: Calvin's art has found a home in esteemed collections such as the Aïshti Foundation in Beirut, Lebanon, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Orange County Museum of Art, among others.
Brian Calvin's artistic journey is a testament to his ability to seamlessly bridge the realms of figuration and abstraction. His exploration of visual possibilities and his dedication to the medium of painting continue to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide, making him a prominent figure in contemporary art.