Photo: Yukihiro Sugimori
Still
African-American artist Hebru Brantley has gained popularity for his pop work with the sense of speed. This time, he breaks new ground by developing a tranquil, internal world of work in which plants are characterized. The motif of flowers growing slowly but steadily foreshadows society’s major shift towards ‘the age of mind’ in the future.
We are pleased to present Hebru Brantley’s solo exhibition ‘Still’ at MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY. Brantley was born in Chicago and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. Brantley earned a B.A. in Film from Clark Atlanta University and has a background in Design and Media Illustration. Recognized internationally, Brantley has exhibited in Chicago, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles and New York including Art Basel Switzerland, Art Basel Miami, Art Basel Hong Kong, and Frieze London.
Brantley creates narrative-driven work revolving around his conceptualized iconic characters which are utilized to address complex ideas around nostalgia, the mental psyche, power, and hope. The color palettes, pop-art motifs, and characters themselves create accessibility around Brantley’s layered and multifaceted beliefs. Majorly influenced by the South Side of Chicago’s AfriCOBRA movement in the 1960s and 70s, Brantley uses the lineage of mural work as a frame to explore his inquiries,
applying a plethora of mediums from oil, acrylic, watercolor and spray paint to non-traditional mediums such as coffee and tea. Brantley’s work challenges the traditional view of the hero or protagonist and his work insists on a contemporary and distinct narrative that shapes and impacts the viewer’s gaze.
In this exhibition, Brantley focuses on the search for internal growth and authentic sense of identity, rather than ‘going viral’ that is seemingly important in today’s fast-paced society. The new work thus created are the fundamental human questions that artists since modern times have continued to ask ‘Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?’ We hope you look forward to this presentation of his spiritual journey through his paintings, drawings and sculptures.
*Prior to the exhibition, silkscreen prints of ‘Bombastic Side Eye (Still)’ will be on sale online on November 10, Japan time. Details will be announced on our Instagram (@megumiogitagallery) on the day.
As a joint project of this exhibition, Brantley’s solo exhibition ‘traveling without moving’ will be held at NANZUKA UNDERGROUND (Harajuku, Tokyo) at the same time. The opening reception with the artist will be held there on November 17, which you are cordially invited to attend.
Dates
November 17-December 16, 2023
Noon-6 PM
Closed on Sunday, Monday and November 23
Contact
MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY
2-16-12 B1 Ginza Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0061 Japan
*You may be asked to wait for admission during busy times.
Bombastic Side Eye (Still)
2023
106.7 x 106.7 cm
Acrylic, gold leaf on canvas
Floral characters
This is the idea of how flowers resemble human life. Like flowers, people and the relationships can fade away in life. The transient nature of flowers and their life span can be likened to a human life. There is beauty in all of us, and the commercialization of beauty in flowers can also be found in humans.
He Giveth, He Taketh
2022
132.1 x 152.4 cm
Acrylic, spray paint on canvas
Pieces
2023
121.9 x 91.4 cm
Acrylic, spray paint, pastel on canvas
Sometimes it is through the perceptions (both positive and negative) of others and how we choose to carry, persevere and move forward, that an authentic sense of identity begins to be achieved. This presentation is a distillation of these concepts and a parable of the times, formed by a linear narrative that tells the story of Flyboy’s journey to space.
- Hebru Brantley
Photo: Bianca Garcia