Bio + Statement
To visit David Brown’s studio is to slip through
the looking glass into a magical space where ideas
and observation blend, becoming something marvelous
and new in the process.
From small drawings to large canvases, his imagery presents itself with a cohesive authority, resonating at once a childlike joy and an engineer’s exactitude. The encaustic paintings are the precognitive dreams of 20th century abstract expressionism: sharp-edged geometric shapes and lines float above translucent fields of gestural scribbles,
as if the artist’s conscious thoughts are clouds scudding above the surface of a boiling subconscious sea.
The monumental work is displayed alongside small collections of found items, from delicate crystals and battered pieces of wood to the wound-up innards of a baseball. These are sacred objects, and pair perfectly with the paintings which become stained-glass windows to an invisible temple of the mind.
Brown is an alchemist in the classical sense, using the furnace of the imagination to create gold from the humblest of materials. He invites us to share his secrets, even if he refrains from telling us exactly what they are.
Aaron Leighton
About David Brown
After graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design University in 1992, David Brown embarked on a remarkable 30+ year career in the global art and design industry, earning multiple awards for his outstanding contributions. In 1996, he received recognition from Toronto’s Design Exchange for his impactful work featured in the “Type Culture” exhibition, highlighting his pivotal role in Canadian Typography. David shared his expertise by teaching Industrial Design at OCADU from 1996 to 2006 while managing a successful product design studio. As the founder and managing director of SpeakEasy Events in Toronto since 1996, David has been dedicated to creating valuable networking opportunities for established and emerging artists. In 2013, he established the Five Star Collective, facilitating members’ engagement in international art opportunities such as Aqua Art Miami, Clio Art Fair, and Fountain NYC.
David’s artistic talents extend to abstract encaustic paintings, monotypes, and sculptures showcased in numerous galleries and museums across Canada and the U.S. His solo exhibition at The Painting Center in Chelsea, NYC, is a recent highlight. His works adorn private and corporate collections in North America, Europe, and Asia, while the products he designed have enjoyed successful sales across the continent. David’s impactful contributions have been featured in various books and magazines throughout Canada
and the United States.
Statement
I approach painting like a builder, using wax, spray paint, and print techniques to construct a multi-layered, multi-sensory experience. I am interested in observing, collecting, and reflecting on the visual cacophony of metropolitan life.
Encaustic paint has become an integral part of my process. Beeswax is an organic material with a strong personality. The range of qualities, surfaces, and textures it can yield is unmatched by any other painting material. The wax and I have formed a partnership; it tells me where and how to proceed as I guide and tease the molten medium.
In my paintings, layers of wax are painstakingly piled on top of acrylic washes, oil, and spray paints. Surface depth accumulates by weaving organic and geometric shapes, rendered in positive and negative forms, through different levels. The final result is a thin sculpture with fragments of long-forgotten messages resonating through.
In contrast, my monotype print series is an immediate exploration of the wax’s character. In this case, there is a visceral response when I bring a brick of wax onto a heated plate. The sensual flow of the medium tracks the movement of my hand and creates an illusion of three dimensions. Instead of adding layers, I remove the medium with silicon tools, making lines and textures to develop the compositions.
My rhythmical wall sculptures are made from folded corrugated cardboard. The energetic geometric structures are coated with a heavily textured encaustic front surface and acrylic paint on the back to add an enchanted warm glow. The undulating angles and geometric forms twist and bend the animated and lyrical sculptures.
I think of my work as internalized landscapes that reflect the experience of living in Canada’s largest urban center — an encapsulation of all the daily sensory bombardments of the city. I strive to represent time and space, sight and sound, in a quiet loudness.
Current Project: Interpretations
David’s 3D Wall Sculptures are an immersive exploration of the human form through his artistic lens. This project combines figure drawings and three-dimensional objects, giving viewers a glimpse into David’s interpretation of the human body.
The heart of this project lies in creating his unique charcoal portraits. Crafted while working with nude art models, these drawings are not mere representations but a distillation of the muse’s spirit. They are simplified and abstract, capturing the essence of the person’s gesture, mood, and emotions. Each sketch is a testament to the timeless tradition of life drawing, a process that David holds dearly and is at the core of his artistic practice.
These folded sculptures offer a modern and dynamic portrayal of anthropoid figures inspired by the inherent geometry of the human form. The organic and textured surfaces reflect the unique personalities of the models. Each piece captures the essence of life in Canada’s largest urban center, intertwining personal identity with the city’s dynamic energy.