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Almine Rech

Brian Calvin States

Apr 19 — May 27, 2017 | Brussels
Inquire about the exhibition: inquiries@alminerech.com

Brian Calvin's non-narrative yet figurative paintings, drawings and sculptures are developed in the context of a diligent daily practice rooted in questions of shape and colour. “I’m trying to broaden my vocabulary while I explore the abstract potential of an image as it comes into being. That’s actually why there are so many repetitions in my work; I’m using extremely simplified visual motifs which then come to produce a strong impression in most cases.”

So that’s what we don’t see in Brian Calvin’s work at a first glance: the abstraction and effacement of his subject matter. One thing we can feel as we stand opposite his paintings is the rhythm and dynamics created by blocks of colour and outlined details. Brian Calvin seems to create a bridge over the space we might discern between sound and silence in music. His use of repetition causes time to stand still. And the faces stare out with an inquisitive gaze which will never be answered, but somehow that’s beside the question.

- Marie Maertens

 

Press release

  • read or download in English
  • lire ou télécharger en Français
  • lezen of te downloaden in het Nederlands

Selected artworks

  • Brian Calvin,                                      TBT, 2017

    Brian Calvin TBT, 2017

    Charcoal on paper
    27,9 x 34,3 cm
    11 x 13 1/2 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      TBT, 2017

    Brian Calvin TBT, 2017

    Charcoal on paper
    43,2 x 34,3 cm
    17 x 13 1/2 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      TBT, 2017

    Brian Calvin TBT, 2017

    Charcoal on paper
    61 x 45,7 cm
    24 x 18 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Sitter (II), 2015

    Brian Calvin Sitter (II), 2015

    acrylic on wood
    231,1 x 55,9 x 83,8 cm
    91 x 22 x 33 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Stroll, 2017

    Brian Calvin Stroll, 2017

    Acrylic on wood
    218,44 x 17,78 cm
    86 x 7 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Eye (II), 2017

    Brian Calvin Eye (II), 2017

    Acrylic on canvas
    142,2 x 213,4 cm
    56 x 84 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Backstage, 2017

    Brian Calvin Backstage, 2017

    Acrylic on canvas
    152,4 x 152,4 cm
    60 x 60 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      The Point !, 2017

    Brian Calvin The Point !, 2017

    acrylic on canvas
    152,4 x 152,4 cm
    60 x 60 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Revelation, 2017

    Brian Calvin Revelation, 2017

    acrylic on canvas
    152,4 x 121,9 cm
    60 x 48 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Pinky, 2012/2016

    Brian Calvin Pinky, 2012/2016

    oil on canvas
    137,1 x 121,9 cm
    54 x 48 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Hand, 2016

    Brian Calvin Hand, 2016

    acrylic on canvas
    61 x 61 cm
    24 x 24 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Gesture, 2016

    Brian Calvin Gesture, 2016

    acrylic on canvas
    152,4 x 121,9 cm
    60 x 48 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Right Here and Over There, 2017

    Brian Calvin Right Here and Over There, 2017

    Acrylic on canvas
    177,8 x 152,4 cm
    70 x 60 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      Cold Bloom, 2017

    Brian Calvin Cold Bloom, 2017

    acrylic on canvas
    213,4 x 142,2 cm
    84 x 56 inches

  • Brian Calvin,                                      New Bloom, 2017

    Brian Calvin New Bloom, 2017

    acrylic on canvas
    182,9 x 116,8 cm
    72 x 46 inches