Cecily Brown’s latest exhibition at the Barnes Foundation pushes the boundaries of art history with a subversive and erotic visual language that challenges traditional techniques and references.
Cecily Brown: A Master of Subversion and Reinterpretation
The exhibition ‘Themes and Variations’ at the Barnes Foundation brings together over thirty paintings and drawings by Cecily Brown, showcasing her unique blend of figuration and abstraction. By twisting traditional art historical references and techniques, Brown creates a subversive and erotic visual language that challenges the viewer.
Cecily Brown is a British painter known for her large-scale, expressive works that explore the relationship between abstraction and figuration.
Born in 1969 in London, England, she studied at the Slade School of Fine Art.
Brown's paintings often combine elements of abstract expressionism with figurative elements, creating complex and dynamic compositions.
The Artist’s Engagement with Art History
Brown’s work has been deeply rooted in art history from the outset. Her breakthrough series, ‘Bunnies,’ features detailed rabbits that reference both the once-living creature featured in historical still lifes and the Hugh Hefner playmates named for their supposed appetites. This initial series sets the tone for Brown’s ongoing engagement with art history, as she continues to reinterpret and subvert traditional techniques and references.
A Subversive Visual Language
Brown’s use of color, texture, and composition creates a visual language that is both erotic and subversive. Her paintings often blur the lines between figuration and abstraction, creating a sense of tension and uncertainty in the viewer. This is particularly evident in works such as ‘Justify My Love’ (2003-2004), which references Francisco de Goya’s existential swansong, while also incorporating elements of Francis Bacon and Willem de Kooning.
Reinterpretation and Variation
Brown’s most recent masterpiece, ‘Saboteur four times’ (2019), showcases her ability to reinterpret a single scene in multiple ways. The painting depicts the animal rights protesters who sabotage England’s famous fox hunts, with each of the four panels offering a unique perspective on the same event. This work is reminiscent of Marcel Proust’s goal of reinterpreting the same story through different narratives and perspectives.
A Celebration of Diversity and Creativity
Throughout her career, Brown has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in art. Her exhibition at the Barnes Foundation is a testament to her ongoing commitment to creative experimentation and reinterpretation. By challenging traditional techniques and references, Brown creates a visual language that is both subversive and erotic, yet also deeply rooted in art history.
The exhibition ‘Cecily Brown: Themes and Variations’ runs through May 25th at the Barnes Foundation.
