Back in the 1990s, Brian Calvin began developing a figurative, non-narrative, pictorial style. Landscapes and portraits steeped in his Californian roots dominated this work. Close-up treatment of subjects, highly composed structures, as well as luminous colors laid flat endow these large-scale paintings with a strange temporality. In observing his technique of pictorial economy, one gradually comes to see a type of abstraction in his representation of certain details. They reveal, even greater still, the true finality of his work, reaffirming the primacy of a visual reflection on painting itself and its possibilities. “I prefer to experience abstraction through the creation and tending of images. Painting provides the medium.”
Brian Calvin
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Brian Calvin, Side part, 2022
Acrylic on linen
76.2 x 61 cm
30 x 24 in -
Brian Calvin, Full force, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
101.6 x 81.3 cm
40 x 32 in -
Brian Calvin, Tilt, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
101.6 x 81.3 cm
40 x 32 in -
Brian Calvin, Sisters, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
101.6 x 81.3 cm
40 x 32 in -
Brian Calvin, Moonlight mile, 2022
Acrylic on linen
61 x 45.7 cm
24 x 18 in -
Brian Calvin, Sway, 2022
Acrylic on linen
61 x 45.7 cm
24 x 18 in -
Brian Calvin, Resemblance, 2022
Acrylic on linen
61 x 45.7 cm
24 x 18 in -
Brian Calvin, Observing, 2022
Acrylic on linen
35.6 x 27.9 cm
14 x 11 in -
Brian Calvin, Sister, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm
60 x 48 in -
Brian Calvin, Facing forward , 2022
Acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm
60 x 48 in -
Brian Calvin, Sisters at night, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
213.4 x 142.2 cm
84 x 56 in -
Brian Calvin, Sinking, 2022
Acrylic on linen
91.4 x 61 cm
36 x 24 in -
Brian Calvin, Backstage, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
142.2 x 213.4 cm
56 x 84 in -
Brian Calvin, The arrangement, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
213.4 x 142.2 cm
84 x 56 in -
Brian Calvin, The front, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
177.8 x 142.2 cm
70 x 56 in -
Brian Calvin, Draper, 2022
Acrylic on linen
50.8 x 40.6 cm
20 x 16 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2022
Pastel on paper
76.2 x 55.9 cm
30 x 22 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2022
Pastel on paper
76.2 x 55.9 cm
30 x 22 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Pastel on paper
76.2 x 55.9 cm
30 x 22 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Pastel on paper
76.2 x 55.9 cm
30 x 22 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Pastel on paper
76.2 x 55.9 cm
30 x 22 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Pastel on paper
76.2 x 55.9 cm
30 x 22 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Pastel and color pencil on paper
29.7 x 41.9 cm
11 1/2 x 16 1/2 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Oil pastel on paper
29.7 x 41.9 cm
11 1/2 x 16 1/2 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Oil pastel on paper
29.7 x 21.1 cm
11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Pastel on paper
29.7 x 21.1 cm
11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2022
Pastel and paint marker on paper
29.7 x 21.1 cm
11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2022
Pastel on paper
16.5 x 26 cm
6 1/2 x 10 1/2 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2022
Acrylic and ink on paper
21.6 x 15.2 cm
8 1/2 x 6 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2021
Pastel and graphite on paper
17.8 x 12.7 cm
7 x 5 in -
Brian Calvin, Bonny, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
30.5 x 22.9 cm
12 x 9 in -
Brian Calvin, On Reflection, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
45.7 x 61 cm
18 x 24 in -
Brian Calvin, Gasp, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
137.2 x 101.6 cm
54 x 40 in -
Brian Calvin, Robin, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm
60 x 48 in -
Brian Calvin, Big Scene, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
137.2 x 101.6 cm
54 x 40 in -
Brian Calvin, Bobbi, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
30.5 x 22.9 cm
12 x 9 in -
Brian Calvin, Face Paint, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
195.6 x 142.2 cm
77 x 56 in -
Brian Calvin, Twilight Glow, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm
60 x 48 in -
Brian Calvin, Middle Distance, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
195.6 x 142.2 cm
77 x 56 in
Photo : Ana Drittanti -
Brian Calvin, Close Quarters, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
142.2 x 213.4 cm
56 x 84 in -
Brian Calvin, Emerald, 2021
Acrylic on Canvas
50.8 x 40.6 cm
20 x 16 in
Photo : Ana Drittanti -
Brian Calvin, Untangled, 2020
Acrylic on linen
71.1 x 55.9 cm
28 x 22 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Pencil and pastel on paper
80 x 63 cm (framed)
31 1/2 x 24 3/4 in (framed)
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Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil on paper
40 x 35 cm (framed)
15 3/4 x 13 3/4 in (framed)
25,9 x 20,5 cm (unframed)
10 1/4 x 8 1/8 in (unframed) -
Brian Calvin, Same Direction, 2019
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Brian Calvin, Moonbath, 2019
Paint marker and color pencil on paper
20,3 x 27,9 cm
8 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2019
Ink and paint marker on paper
58,4 x 40,6 cm
23 x 16 inches -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2019
Ink and pastel on paper
58,4 x 40,6 cm
23 x 16 inches -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2019
Ink and pastel on paper
59,7 x 41,9 cm
23 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches -
Brian Calvin, Curtains, 2019
Acrylic and pastel on panel
55,9 x 43,2 cm
22 x 17 inches -
Brian Calvin, Harmony, 2019
Acrylic on linen
76,2 x 61 cm
30 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, The Long Goodbye, 2019
Acrylic on linen
76,2 x 61 cm
30 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, This Way and That, 2019
Acrylic on linen
76,2 x 101,6 cm
30 x 40 inches -
Brian Calvin, Conversation, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
152,4 x 121,9 cm
60 x 48 inches -
Brian Calvin, Together, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
177,8 x 142,2 cm
70 x 56 inches -
Brian Calvin, Sunshine at the End of Day, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
177,8 x 142,2 cm
70 x 56 inches -
Brian Calvin, Dead On, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
177,8 x 142,2 cm
70 x 56 inches -
Brian Calvin, Lineup, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
142,2 x 213,4 cm
56 x 84 in ches -
Brian Calvin, Facing Forward, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
182,9 x 274,3 cm
72 x 108 inches -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2019
Pastel on paper
40,5 x 36,7 cm (framed)
16 x 14 1/2 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Ghost, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
177,8 x 142,2 cm
70 x 56 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink, marker and color pencil on paper
48,5 x 56 cm (framed)
19 1/8 x 22 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Fugue, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
177,8 x 457,2 cm
70 x 180 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2019
Pastel on paper
40,5 x 36,7 cm (framed)
16 x 14 1/2 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Some Distance, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
142,2 x 177,8 cm
56 x 70 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink, marker and color pencil on paper
48,5 x 52,5 cm (framed)
19 1/8 x 20 5/8 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil on paper
40,5 x 18,9 cm (framed)
16 x 7 1/2 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Subduction, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
142,2 x 213,4 cm
56 x 84 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil on paper
34,5 x 42,7 cm (framed)
13 5/8 x 16 3/4 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink, color pencil and pastel on paper
48,5 x 51 cm (framed)
19 1/8 x 20 1/8 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Proscenium, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
182,9 x 274,3 cm
72 x 108 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil on paper
48,5 x 58,3 cm (framed)
19 1/8 x 23 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil on paper
40,5 x 36,7 cm (framed)
16 x 14 1/2 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil
34,5 x 41 cm (framed)
13 5/8 x 16 1/8 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil on paper
34,5 x 41,7 cm (framed)
13 5/8 x 16 3/8 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Ink and color pencil on paper
56 x 48,5 cm (framed)
22 x 19 1/8 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, A Little Background, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
Diameter 152,4 cm / 60 in -
Brian Calvin, Façade, 2019
Façade, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
284,5 x 177,8 cm
112 x 70 in -
Brian Calvin, Untitled, 2018
Pencil and pastel on pastel board
63,7 x 53,5 cm (framed)
25 1/8 x 21 1/8 in (framed) -
Brian Calvin, Puff, 2018
Acrylic on canvas
56 1/8 x 70 1/8 inches
142,6 x 178,1 cm -
Brian Calvin, New Bloom, 2017
acrylic on canvas
182,9 x 116,8 cm
72 x 46 inches -
Brian Calvin, Cold Bloom, 2017
acrylic on canvas
213,4 x 142,2 cm
84 x 56 inches -
Brian Calvin, Right Here and Over There, 2017
Acrylic on canvas
177,8 x 152,4 cm
70 x 60 inches -
Brian Calvin, Gesture, 2016
acrylic on canvas
152,4 x 121,9 cm
60 x 48 inches -
Brian Calvin, Hand, 2016
acrylic on canvas
61 x 61 cm
24 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, Pinky, 2012/2016
oil on canvas
137,1 x 121,9 cm
54 x 48 inches -
Brian Calvin, Revelation, 2017
acrylic on canvas
152,4 x 121,9 cm
60 x 48 inches -
Brian Calvin, The Point !, 2017
acrylic on canvas
152,4 x 152,4 cm
60 x 60 inches -
Brian Calvin, Backstage, 2017
Acrylic on canvas
152,4 x 152,4 cm
60 x 60 inches -
Brian Calvin, Eye (II), 2017
Acrylic on canvas
142,2 x 213,4 cm
56 x 84 inches -
Brian Calvin, Stroll, 2017
Acrylic on wood
218,44 x 17,78 cm
86 x 7 inches -
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, TBT, 2017
Charcoal on paper
61 x 45,7 cm
24 x 18 inches -
Brian Calvin, TBT, 2017
Charcoal on paper
43,2 x 34,3 cm
17 x 13 1/2 inches -
Brian Calvin, TBT, 2017
Charcoal on paper
27,9 x 34,3 cm
11 x 13 1/2 inches -
Brian Calvin, Mouthfeel, 2015
Acrylic on linen
45,72 x 60,96 cm
18 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, Mouthfeel, 2015
Acrylic on linen
45,72 x 60,96 cm
18 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, Mouthfeel, 2015
Acrylic on linen
45,72 x 60,96 cm
18 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, Unseen Seas, 2016
Acrylic and sand on linen
60,96 x 45,72 cm
24 x 18 inches -
Brian Calvin, Unseen Seas, 2016
Acrylic and sand on linen
60,96 x 45,72 cm
24 x 18 inches -
Brian Calvin, Unseen Seas, 2014
Acrylic and sand on linen
76,2 x 60,96 cm
30 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, Sky Sea Sand, 2014-2016
Acrylic and sand on canvas
182,88 x 121,92 cm
72 x 48 inches -
Brian Calvin, Les Petits Fumeurs, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
91,44x 60,96 cm
36 x 24 inches -
Brian Calvin, Procession, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
142,24 x 177,8 cm
56 x 70 inches -
Brian Calvin, Sweater Weather, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
177,8 x 142,24 cm
70 x 56 inches -
Brian Calvin, Looking, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
121,92 x 182,88 cm
48 x 72 inches -
Brian Calvin, Offering, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
142,24 x 213,36 cm
56 x 84 inches -
Brian Calvin, Amnesia, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
213,36 x 142,24 cm
84 x 56 inches -
Brian Calvin, Pale magnolia, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
121,9 x 152,4 cm -
Brian Calvin, Tuesday, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
213,4 x 142,2 cm -
Brian Calvin, Last Looks, 2013
Oil and acrylic on canvas
101 x 76 cm -
Brian Calvin, Seven Seven, 2014
Acrylic on canvas
198 x 122 cm -
Brian Calvin, Above and Beyond, 2015
Acrylic on canvas
182,9 x 116,8 cm
Exhibitions
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Brian Calvin , More
— • Brussels -
More Days
— • Paris, Matignon -
Salon de Peinture
— • New York -
Retrouvailles
— • Paris, Front Space -
Painting Someone, Group show
— • Shanghai -
Summer
— • Paris -
Spring
— • Shanghai -
Sound
— • Shanghai -
Fugue
— • Paris -
States
— • Brussels -
Hours
— • Paris -
Art Basel 2015
— • Basel -
The Shell (Landscapes, Portraits & Shapes), A show by Eric Troncy
— • Paris
Museum Exhibitions
Videos
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Brian Calvin – Hours
Selected press
- Judiciaël Lavrador, ‘Le renouveau du portrait’, Beaux Arts, January 2020 — 247.9 kB
- Martin Herbert, ‘Previewed’, ArtReview, March 2019 — 141.6 kB
- Eric Troncy, 'L'art fait son numéro', Numéro, June/July 2016 — 222.5 kB
- Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello, 'Brian Calvin', Numéro, June/July 2016 — 1.6 MB
- Timothée Chaillou, ‘Brian Calvin : « La peinture, une forme de voyage dans le temps »’, Lui Magazine, April 7, 2016 — 636.9 kB
- Charles Barachon, ‘Le top 3 des expos du week-end’, Soustitre, March 18, 2016 — 288.9 kB
- Nicholas Forrest, ‘Brian Calvin’s «Hours» of Painterly Pauses at Almine Rech Gallery’, Blouin Artinfo, March 17, 2016 — 1.4 MB
- Eric Troncy, ‘Les figures libres de Brian Calvin à la galerie Almine Rech‘, Numéro, March 4, 2016 — 1.1 MB
- Elie Villette, ‘Compter les heures‘, Le Cahier de Tendances de l'OBS, March, 2016, n°13, p.27 — 7.9 MB
- Eric Troncy, 'Brian Calvin', Frog, Fall-Winter 2015-2016, N°15 — 12.5 MB
- Antoine Espinasseau, 'The Shell', Frog, Fall-Winter 2015-2016 — 6.0 MB
- Bill Powers, ‘Brian Calvin Flow West’, MuseMagazine.it, September 29, 2015 — 509.5 kB
- Judicaël Lavrador, 'Brian Calvin, mission impassible', Libération, June 27, 2015 — 1.9 MB
- Bruce Hainley, 'Sadgasm!', Spike Art Quarterly, Winter 2012 — 4.6 MB