Artist Statement

My work in charcoal on raw and primed canvas reflects my ongoing exploration of the dynamic interplay between humans and the natural world. By stripping away excess, I allow the raw, expressive qualities of the medium to take center stage. My compositions are driven by a sense of immediacy and the primal act of creation, challenging the viewer to reflect on the passage of time and the complex relationships we share with our surroundings. Often leaning toward heavier, darker mark-making, my work ranges from large-scale portraiture and figurative pieces to atmospheric abstract landscapes. My art is an ongoing exploration of human connection, the act of creation, and the language of the medium itself.

My most recent solo show, Interplay: Works in Charcoal (Thomas Stevens Gallery, NC), explores the interconnectedness between us and our environment, emphasizing the balance of shadow and light, as well as the dynamic relationship between humanity and nature, and artist and medium.

In the context of humanity and nature, my work highlights the intricate relationship between the two, where they mutually influence and shape each other. It also reflects on the limitations we impose on ourselves and the potential for growth beyond those boundaries, promoting a more open and expansive perspective on life.

Throughout the intuitive creation process, the medium itself informs the artwork, facilitating an interplay between the elements within the composition and the dry, powdery medium of burnt wood and water. Figures within the pieces symbolize the intertwining of humanity and nature, with limbs merging with branches and faces reflecting the landscapes they inhabit or hope to inhabit.

The eternal dance between humanity and nature, artist and medium, merges into a harmonious interplay, inviting contemplation on our place in the vast, interconnected world.

Artist Biography

Bren is a visual artist and creative director, born in 1977 in South Africa, whose work explores the complex relationship between humans, their environment, and the expressive potential of different mediums. Raised in a culturally diverse country, art and design have always been integral to her identity, influencing her approach to both creative and professional pursuits.

While working as a creative director in the branding and design industry, Bren simultaneously began focusing more deeply on her personal art practice, particularly in the areas of fine art and photography. Her early career was defined by bold, colorful illustrative work, but over time, she shifted towards more monochromatic pieces, influenced by her studies in black and white film photography and the design industry's need to place emphasis on the meaning of color. This shift led her to explore more monotone mediums like charcoal, graphite, ink and printmaking that allowed her to engage with high-contrast, emotive imagery focused on light, shadow, and bold mark-making - with some moments of painterly splashes of color adding depth, nuance and punctuation.

Moving from a very urban African city Johannesburg to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Bren continues to evolve her artistic practice through experimentation. Coupled with the experiences of previously living in large cities to now drawing inspiration from the vast American landscapes she now calls home, using her work as a journal of sorts to process new experiences, people and environments.

Email: art@brenwest.com

Website: www.brenwest.com

Social media links:  https://bio.site/brenwest