Contemporary artist Kelsey Brookes is known for his pioneering blend of modern biochemistry and visual art. Experimenting with elements of Pop, abstract, and traditional forms, Brookes creates bright, intricately detailed paintings that work to heighten the viewer’s sensory perceptions. Drawing on a mix of cognitive science, molecular and atomic structures, and hallucinogenic states, Brookes’ work is concerned with attention. Through this fusion, the surfaces of his paintings harness the viewer’s awareness, to approximate meditative states in a manner redolent of Eastern contemplative practices, such as Buddhism. “The brain and its product, the mind, are a fascinating subject,” Brookes has said. “I question existence, both philosophically and scientifically, and because of my background, a good place to start my interrogation of life is through the material science of the brain.”
Brookes has had solo shows in La Jolla, Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, London and Berlin. His work has featured as the cover art for both the Red Hot Chili and The Flaming Lips, and the artist has collaborated with RVCA and VANS among others. Brookes’ paintings have featured in a number of eminent publications and monograph has been published on the artist’s work, Kelsey Brookes: Psychedelic Space. Today, his work is held in both esteemed private collections, and the public permanent collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego; the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; and the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation.
Contemporary artist Kelsey Brookes is known for his pioneering blend of modern biochemistry and visual art. Experimenting with elements of Pop, abstract, and traditional forms, Brookes creates bright, intricately detailed paintings that work to heighten the viewer’s sensory perceptions. Drawing on a mix of cognitive science, molecular and atomic structures, and hallucinogenic states, Brookes’ work is concerned with attention. Through this fusion, the surfaces of his paintings harness the viewer’s awareness, to approximate meditative states in a manner redolent of Eastern contemplative practices, such as Buddhism. “The brain and its product, the mind, are a fascinating subject,” Brookes has said. “I question existence, both philosophically and scientifically, and because of my background, a good place to start my interrogation of life is through the material science of the brain.”
Brookes has had solo shows in La Jolla, Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, London and Berlin. His work has featured as the cover art for both the Red Hot Chili and The Flaming Lips, and the artist has collaborated with RVCA and VANS among others. Brookes’ paintings have featured in a number of eminent publications and monograph has been published on the artist’s work, Kelsey Brookes: Psychedelic Space. Today, his work is held in both esteemed private collections, and the public permanent collections, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego; the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; and the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation.
