Mark Bryan

The work in this show bounces back and forth between serious themes and humor just for it's own sake. Overall I think this show is a bit lighter than those of the recent past. I must have needed some relief from the overtly political work that I've been doing the last few years. To be frank, I am sick of those guys and wish they would just disappear. Too bad that's not very likely. I guess I just don't feel like giving them much energy right now. There are, however, several pieces in this show dealing with our human foibles, taking on sex, war and the right wing fundamentalists. These works are not so specific but make comment in a more general symbolic nature. The purely humorous work is a chance for me to relax, enjoy myself and let the subconscious loose to see what happens.

What is this show about? That's always a good question for an artist. It's like asking, "What are you all about?" Then I have to think about that. I believe that an artist over time builds up a vocabulary of images and subject matter to draw on that is meaningful to him for one reason or another. Certain themes, settings and moods reappear over and over. When I work, I usually have a topic in mind or a problem to solve. Sooner or later a picture appears in my head. These images come like dreams, without explanation. I then proceed without too much reflection on the meaning and allow myself to change the painting at any time to make it "feel right". I suppose if one wanted to, some kind of psychoanalysis could be done by studying the art, but to quote Pee Wee Herman, "There are some things you just don't want to know" It's enough for me to know that it makes me feel better to do it.

That said there are some things I can say about my work. It usually has a subtle or overtly disturbing tone but almost always tempered by humor. Why disturbing? That could be mostly about my personal paranoia but I would rather say it's because anyone living in these times that is even somewhat aware of world events and human behavior in general would naturally be unsettled. Those things trouble me greatly. I cannot ignore them and I think an artist has some responsibility to make a statement and express an opinion.

Apart from my concern for subject matter and message, I also try to make my work visually interesting and esthetically pleasing. The craft of painting is important to me. A colorful, well-composed painting can seduce the viewer into looking more carefully at a piece. I do think about the audience more than I used to and if the work will also be something they will find thought provoking and entertaining as well.

I hope you enjoy the show and thank you for coming.

-- Mark Bryan