Abstract Paintings
Shawn McNulty Art

Abstract Art Prints

Cecily Brown Artist

Cecily Brown, a luminary of contemporary painting, captivates audiences with her dynamic, sensuous canvases that blur the boundaries between figuration and abstraction. Born in London in 1969, Brown's journey to artistic prominence is marked by an unyielding dedication to her craft and an innate ability to navigate the complexities of art history while pushing its boundaries forward. Brown's artistic journey began at the esteemed Slade School of Fine Art in London, where she honed her skills and developed her unique artistic voice. It was during this formative period that she immersed herself in the rich tradition of painting, drawing inspiration from the works of the Old Masters as well as modern masters like Willem de Kooning and Francis Bacon. This early exposure to a diverse array of influences laid the groundwork for Brown’s eclectic and deeply nuanced style.

Throughout her career, Brown has continually pushed the boundaries of painting, experimenting with form, color, and gesture to create works that are at once visceral and cerebral. Her paintings are characterized by bold brushwork, vibrant colors, and a sense of movement that imbues her compositions with a palpable energy. At the same time, there is a rawness and vulnerability to Brown’s work, as she fearlessly confronts themes of sexuality, desire, and the human experience. One of Brown's most notable contributions to contemporary painting is her reimagining of the female nude. In her work, the female form is liberated from the constraints of traditional representation, taking on a life of its own as it twists and contorts across the canvas. Brown's nudes are not passive objects of desire but rather powerful, assertive figures that challenge traditional notions of femininity and agency. Brown's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Tate Britain in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Her paintings have garnered widespread acclaim for their boldness, innovation, and emotional resonance, earning her a dedicated following of collectors, critics, and fellow artists alike.

In addition to her solo work, Brown is also known for her collaborations with other artists and musicians. She has created album covers for bands such as The White Stripes and produced artwork for the New York City Ballet. These collaborations speak to Brown’s interdisciplinary approach to artmaking, as well as her willingness to explore new mediums and push the boundaries of her practice. Despite her international success, Brown remains deeply rooted in the artistic community of New York City, where she has lived and worked for much of her career. The city’s vibrant energy and cultural diversity have been a constant source of inspiration for Brown, informing both her subject matter and her aesthetic sensibility. As she continues to evolve as an artist, Brown remains committed to pushing the boundaries of painting and challenging the conventions of the art world. The definition of abstract art seems to change every decade as artists evolve, but Cecily is very influenced by first generation abstract expressionists like Clyfford Still and Hans Hofmann. Her work serves as a testament to the enduring power of the medium and its ability to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and capture the complexities of the human experience. With each new canvas, Brown invites viewers to embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, inviting them to see the world through her eyes and experience the transformative power of art.

Cecily Brown Portrait by Chuck Close	Cecily Brown Studio Photo
"My process is really quite organic and starting a painting is one of the best parts for me. I always start in quite a loose and free way. I often put down one ground colour to begin with and then play off that. For the first day or two, everything moves very quickly - sometimes almost too quickly - then there's often this very protracted middle period of moving things around, changing things, editing."
Cecily Brown Artist Studio