Hebru Brantley -Trapped in What I Made Believe

April 12 - May 12, 2012

Opening reception: April 13, 6-8 pm

Artist will be present.

CHICAGO, IL - kasia kay art projects is pleased to announce the gallery's first solo exhibition by Hebru Brantley, "Trapped in What I Made Believe". Working in two and three dimensions with paint and found objects, the Bronzeville-native explores personal and cultural memory. Taking themes from his 1980's upbringing, Brantley uses a creative process akin to free-form journaling. His work delves into political and social issues with a conscious focus on playful insight and the optimism and possibilities of youth.

Brantley draws influence from an array of pop culture icons, comic book heroes, Japanese anime and the bold aesthetics of street art pioneers Jean Michel Basquiat, Kaws and Keith Haring. In "Trapped in What I Made Believe", Brantley shares energetic narratives-moments of reality from his life and the lives of his peers, mixed with fantastical fiction-to create fragmented environments of make believe. Spray paint is often at the forefront of these mixed-media illustrations, working in part to de-contextualize the levity of cartoon imagery, and bring a critical edge into the white cube.  

Recognized nationally for public works and solo shows in Chicago, Hebru Brantley has exhibited in Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles and New York, and was most recently featured in the Fountain and Pool fairs in March 2012. Two of Brantley's paintings will be featured at the Swedish Embassy in Stockholm through 2013. Brantley earned a B.A. in Film from Clark Atlanta University, and has a background in design and media illustration. He current lives and works in Chicago.

 

Top: Hebru Brantley, War Counsel, mixed media on canvas, 81" x 56", 2011. Left: Hebru Brantley,

Turrets, mixed media on canvas, 48" x 53", 2010. Right: Hebru Brantley, Everyone's Scared, mixed media on canvas, 75" x 85", 2011.

For more information about the exhibition artists, or available work, please contact the gallery at info@kasiakaygallery.com or call 312-944-0408.

  

  

We hope to see you soon!

Kasia Kay