kelsey brookes: bigger, brighter, bolder

kelsey brookes: bigger, brighter, bolder quint contemporary art, la jolla, california on now until december 19th, 2009

san diego-based artist kelsey brookes is currently exhibiting a new body of works at quint contemporary art which have a strong and unique interplay with figure, abstract forms and text. this new work increases the sense of awe and wonder found in his signature style. where once the female forms had sharply defined contours and rendered details, they are now symbolic canvases for his seemingly limitless constellation of brightly colored micro scenes and characters. from afar, the small characters, shapes and patterns of his paintings, read as abstract compositions, but up close, they engage in all sorts of activity, rewarding the careful viewer with a clear sense of joy.

the works in this show represent, personal meditations on spirituality and humanity, executed with a central figure surrounded with an aura of objects, animals and plants. they express brookes’ fascination with literary works and words incorporating his brightly colored and strategically placed text into his work, and draw on the art of british painter francis bacon, through the use of painterly splashes of color leaving raw bold marks on the canvas.

‘the work draws from hindu and buddhist deities, exotic animals and sex, as well as rustic american quilts.‘ – KB

kelsey brookes was born in 1978. formally trained as a scientist who spent many years tracking viruses for the US government, he know lives and works in san diego as a painter. his work has been featured in numerous pop culture design publications such as GQ, modern painters dazed and confused to name a few. he has also collaborated on illustration work with RVCA, VANS and insight 51 as well as music group grande ole party.