British painter Glenn Brown, honored by the Max Hetzler gallery in Paris until December 18, redefines the boundaries of contemporary art by mixing surrealism, photorealism and historical references in a unique visual language. Born in 1966 in a small mining village in the north of England, Brown grew up in a world steeped in literature and music, rather than the visual arts. His work is distinguished by a remarkable attention to detail, complex appropriations and evocative distortions that invite the viewer to question the meaning of art and originality.
Early influences
A love of books and music, passed down from his parents, permeated Glenn Brown's childhood spent in rural Norfolk. It is also through pop music that he learns about the visual arts: “ I discovered Henri Fantin-Latour's paintings on an album cover designed by Peter Saville for New Order », explains the artist. The Open University programs then came to nourish his cultural education. While studying art, Brown was influenced by artists like Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke, who shaped his approach to contemporary painting: “ You build on this tradition, you play with it, and you break it whenever you want. »
Glenn Brown, Up Life Gone Star, 2024, oil and acrylic paint and Indian ink on wood panel © The Brown Collection. Photo: Lucy-Dawkins
Paintings of paintings
The concept of appropriation is fundamental to Glenn Brown's career. The artist explains: “ I loved Sherrie Levine's photographs […] that leave you dizzy because you don't know what to watch. » His unique practice consists of creating “paintings of paintings” by combining photorealism and surrealism. Inspired by Salvador Dalí and science fiction illustrator Chris Foss, Glenn Brown transformed their works, making them more fanciful and evocative.
View of the Glenn Brown exhibition “In the Altogether” at the Max Helzer gallery in Paris, 2024 © The Brown Collection/ Courtesy Galerie Max Hetzler Berlin-Paris-London-Marfa. Photo: Def_omage
Complex lighting effects
The exhibition “In the Altogether”, presented at the Max Hetzler gallery in Paris, brings together works created over two years. Brown explains: “ Nothing was finished, but all the paintings were started and they communicated with each other. » The artist uses glazing techniques to create complex lighting effects. The use of Indian yellow, a unique pigment, illustrates his approach: “ You apply this yellow to blue, and it becomes a very distinctive green. »
Glenn Brown, When the Satellite Sings, oil and acrylic painting on panel © The Brown Collection. Photo: Lucy-Dawkins
Humor is also at the heart of Brown's work, influenced by Marcel Duchamp. Titles like Dirty Little Seahorses reflect this playful approach: “ The idea that a seahorse could be a little naughty, a little erotic, seemed very funny to me. » With “In the Altogether”, Glenn Brown reaffirms his role as a master of appropriation and artistic reinvention. His works play with art history while challenging the viewer's perceptions.
