Fourth Wall Show Opening

Fourth Wall Show Opening

At the end of 2015 I had a portfolio review where I was told I wasn’t a serious artist whose work isn’t cohesive enough and who wasn’t the type that would be given a show in NYC. I spent the entire next year doing my best to prove that theory wrong while discovering parts of my creativity I didn’t know existed. I came up with a layered series that spoke to many different emotions through symbolism and visual cues. I worked really hard, physically, to build sets and to create viscerally. I wanted to do something different and unexpected.

That show opened on January 5th in New York City, my first solo show in this amazing art market. It marked a moment in my career that I didn’t see coming but longed for. I know that status and prestige isn’t what I’m after, but it felt good to work toward a goal and see it come to fruition.

The show is titled “Fourth Wall”, based on the film theory that catches a movie breaking the barrier between viewer and creator. This can happen when an actor looks at the camera or speaks directly to the viewer, or in many other ways. In my case, while no eye contact was made, I wanted my viewers to voyueristically peer into the lives of others. Fourth wall has dual meaning here, also pointing to the four walls, with no windows and doors, that features in each image.

I shot each image through a different Kodak Duaflex II camera so that the texture on each one was natural from a different lens, symbolizing the different psyche we were looking into. Each room represents the inner-workings of the person inside: what we feel we cannot share. What we keep inside.

The project was hands-on, much more so than any previous works. For the image with yarn I spent 60+ hours laying the yarn down on the floor line by line, and even asked the model to sew under the top layer of her skin to mimic the pattern on the floor. For another, I obtained 800lbs of sand, 100lbs of which was from sand dunes 5 hours from my home so that it would look better but also be symbolic of real time passing on the dunes. For the final image I photographed, myself and a small team disassembled the entire room and re-built it outside in a swimming pool to create the underwater effect.

Those are some examples of how I wanted to work in camera. These images have far, far less post production than my previous works, mostly using Photoshop to straighten lines and enhance colors.

From feeling trapped in your own skin to giving so much to others that you have no blood left for yourself, these images are a look at what we don’t tell people. They are a glimpse into the world of someone else who feels just as trapped and alone at times as we all do. Particularly in an age when we are more connected than ever, we find ourselves disconnected in the ways that give us heart and spirit.

I hope you enjoy this new series which is on display and represented by the JoAnne Artman Gallery until February 18th. It is showing in New York City (Chelsea).

Very limited editions. Each print is offered at 42×42 inches with an edition of 2, and 8×8 inches with an edition of 3.

You may contactΒ the gallery for purchase requests. Each print has been proofed, signed, and numbered by me, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

I will be sharing more in depth posts on each image in the coming weeks, but for now, here are all of the images together.

29 thoughts on “Fourth Wall Show Opening

  1. Brooke, dear, I congratulate you on this victory!!!!!!!It’s incredibly deep and strong! Oh! it seems simultaneously like your work!!! I’d love to see it live and experience this world……incredible powers.It’s definitely a new level! Thank you for the example of this devoted love to his dream!!!!
    With love from Russia)

    1. Hi Mira! Thank you so much for your kindness about this series! It was the greatest challenge and joy to create. XO!

  2. Wowwwww…so THIS is the secret project you’ve been working on! I didn’t think it was possible for you to further blow my mind, but you have. Absolutely stunning work. I am excited to see the images roll out individually.

    Congratulations on your first solo show in NY! What a HUGE accomplaihement!

    And thank you for sharing your journey. You spread inspiration like a jungle growing in your wake.

    1. Hi Kim! Aww thank you so much for being so kind! I appreciate you immensely! It was a great moment for sure, one that I will not forget. I can’t wait to share more about it. I hope you are doing splendidly!! Hugs!

  3. Congratulations! These images look amazing … so wish I could see them in person. Thanks too for sharing that review experience. Can’t imagine anyone saying that, but it’s comforting to know even the best of us face the naysayers. And boy did you prove them wrong!

    1. Thank you, Cyd! We all have naysayers, right? It’s just more fun to disguise them as cheerleaders who have a bad attitude πŸ˜‰

  4. These are beautiful, Brooke. I remember in Boone you telling us about your portfolio review. I am so glad you were inspired to challenge that review and create something epic. These remind me of another artist/painter who I love named Cassie Taggert; artistic perspectives by viewing the world from above, through the intimate space of another, physically and mentally. I would love to see you and Cassie collaborate on an art show. Congratulations on your NYC solo debut.

    1. Hi Leesa!! Oh thank you for that artist recommendation! I’ve just looked at her work – so detailed and amazing! And thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it so much!

  5. Very nice work – matter of curiosity – why did you switch from an expensive camera and lens to a base model film camera ($10 – $30) with a lot of limitations? (one shutter speed, 3 aperatures, limited focusing, limited film etc)(and that is on the later model)

    thanks,

    john

    1. Hi John! Technically, I shot through the film cameras. So, the process was still digital but I pulled the texture from the lenses of the film cameras (by shooting through the film cameras digitally). I’m not ready to take on full film shooting just yet πŸ˜€ Thank you for your kindness!

    2. By the way – I forgot to mention in my previous post – Who gave these so called gate keepers the right to judge – I love your previous work.

      Most of these so called reviewers of portfolios don’t know one end of the lens from another and most of their creativity goes into choosing which artist to review.

      Apparently you took this reviewer seriously and set out to proof him/her wrong – You did well.

    1. Thank you so much Julie! I love your description – uncomplicated complexity. That is what I am always striving for. Difficult balance. I know that your exhibition will come about beautifully and I can’t wait to see pictures when it does! XO!

  6. Oh Brooke, I am so proud of you. This series is truly a testament to the strength and perseverance you have in your soul. You are such an amazing inspiration to upstarts like myself. My favorite thing about you is that despite your success, you remain grounded and accessible to newbies like me. I someday hope to inspire someone like you inspire me!

    1. Aww thank you Carrie!! You are so kind to me, I appreciate you very much. You are already inspiring people, be certain of that.

  7. Oh what an amazing achievement! Congratulations. This new series really moved your work into a new sphere. Looking forward to reading more about your journey on your blog.

  8. Major props to you for coming back stronger than ever, from something that would have ended many artist. So hats off to you!
    Did you invite the people that did your portfolio review to the opening?
    I love this series, and it really comes to life when you see it hanging on the walls of that gallery. They also look great as a collage, like in the last photo on this post.
    I can’t wait to read about each one in your future post!
    Here is a big hug for a job well done! (HUG!!!)

    1. You are too kind!! I didn’t invite them, unfortunately, but for my sanity – fortunately πŸ˜€ I can’t wait to share more! Thank you for your support, it means so much to me!

  9. Hi Brook! Amazing! I am glad I watched the video of how you made and photographed your sets! So proud of you!

    You are the one who got me started doing fantasy portraits. This new work is inspiring me to higher grounds. Thank you for your inspiration, kindness and generous spirit!

    1. Hi Tracey! Thank you so much for following along! You are so kind πŸ™‚ I am excited for your journey in fantasy portraits! I can’t wait to see where it takes you. I hope you are getting lots of inspiration from this path!

  10. Congratulations Brooke! Very strong series. What an accomplishment! You can be so proud of all you have done and at such a young age> My God, girl! You are a wonder! Just stunning! I feel so lucky to have actually met you, much less gotten to be at a couple of your workshops. I cannot wait to see what magic you do next!

    1. Hi Faith!! You are TOO kind to me!! Thank you so much, I wish I could give you a million giant hugs! I feel very grateful to know you, I truly do.

  11. Brooke, you are an inspiration to everyone who strives to express their soul, spirit and love through their art. This NYC showing is an accomplishment for the work and dedication you have given to your art. You can celebrate in your strength and success.

  12. Brooke, your work is soooo great! Every image resonates with me, but this series is so cohesive, you should try to think more in series in the future! I’m not big with words, but really, the images are very good, and I really really enjoy your behind the scenes and insights into the meaning of your work. Hope you’ll sell as many prints as possible and that you’ll stay inspired in the future. Take care!

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