Cecily Brown Artist Statement
Nationality:
British
Medium:
Painting
Key Themes:
Figuration • Abstraction • Movement • Desire • Memory • Gesture
Painting, for me, is an ongoing conversation between instinct and intention. I am drawn to the
space where figuration begins to dissolve into abstraction, allowing images to emerge,
disappear, and reappear through layers of paint. Rather than presenting fixed narratives, I want
each work to remain open, inviting viewers to discover shifting forms, emotions, and
associations over time.
My process is energetic and intuitive. I build each composition through repeated gestures,
scraping away, repainting, and allowing earlier marks to remain visible beneath the surface. This
continual cycle of construction and revision creates a sense of movement that reflects the
unpredictable nature of perception itself. I embrace uncertainty, believing that ambiguity gives a
painting its vitality and lasting presence.
The history of painting remains an important source of inspiration in my practice. I am interested
in engaging with traditional subjects while challenging expectations through expressive
mark-making and dynamic compositions. Fragments of figures, landscapes, and everyday
imagery move in and out of focus, encouraging a dialogue between representation and
abstraction rather than choosing one over the other.
Colour and gesture are central to the emotional language of my work. Rich surfaces, layered
textures, and fluid brushstrokes create moments of tension and harmony that unfold gradually
as the viewer spends time with the painting. I want the experience of looking to be active, where
meaning is not immediately resolved but continuously evolves through observation.
Ultimately, my paintings explore the complexity of memory, desire, and human experience. They
celebrate the physical act of painting while embracing its capacity for transformation, inviting
viewers to engage with images that remain fluid, expressive, and open to multiple
interpretations.
