Christian Branson: A Beginner’s Evolution
June 2-30, 2017
Christian Branson: A Beginner’s Evolution
Opening reception: Friday, June 2, 5:00-9:00 PM
Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Artist Statement:
When you enter a room, do you feel it’s shape? Does it envelope you as a warm embrace, or open to your senses as a vast, cold and empty space? Can an object speak to your senses? Enliven them; as if to awaken some hidden desire; a fire that cannot be quenched? These are the questions and thoughts that spark and consume me and my point of interest.
As a painter in various mediums from acrylic to mixed media, my primal drive is to explore form and shape and it’s representation through value and color as I push the boundaries within myself and my surroundings. In achieving this, I often quiet my mind and ‘let go’. Feeling free to work from a place of spontaneity and allowing the painting process to take place from an organic experience without force. This results in an original work of art manifested with a life and energy of it’s own.
Biography:
Christian Branson ( www.christianbranson.com ) is a new up and coming artist who lives and works in the Knoxville, TN area. A native of Panama City, FL, his colorful paintings derive from his desire for exploration into the areas of form and color cohesion, as well as contrasts between them. His art emanates a wide range of emotions and expresses the vibrant spirit and atmosphere of the human mind, individual condition and perception of the world around him.
Christian began painting in the late summer of 2016 after deciding to try his hand at it. Since then, he has sold several pieces to private collectors across the U.S. His abstract forms, flowers, symbols and patterns of colors are all brought to life with contrasting and harmonious hues and bold compositions. As the artist explains, “The artwork is the real artist here, and I am but a tool used to reveal it. It exists with or without me.”
As a child, Christian grew up the oldest of five children and traveled considerably across the US and in Europe. As the oldest, he was taught to take charge and be the responsible one, looking over his younger siblings. Despite a leadership mentality derived from his upbringing, Christian prefers to let go of all control when creating his artwork. He believes that art has a life of its own, if allowed. Many of his pieces evolve as they’re being painted in the moment rather than being planned.
As he explains, “When I paint, I try to let the painting inspire me or tell me what to do, as opposed to placing too much emphasis on what I want it to do or be. If I go into it with a preconceived notion or idea, I struggle. It’s only after I relax and have fun that a painting evolves on its own. In this way, I believe art comes to life, naturally. It’s ok to have an idea or opinion, but I let my pieces evolve from there.”
Christian is a self-taught artist and continues to learn new art techniques. He continues to explore various styles and mediums in effort to push the boundaries of exploration, creativity and himself within the arts. While this is his first art exhibition, he is currently planning future shows and exploring many opportunities with which to showcase his artwork. He will be submitting pieces in August to a local art gallery for an opportunity to be juried in as a member of that gallery.
He is a member of the Creative Ministries at Faith Promise Church, where he attends regularly. Christian would like to take this opportunity to thank you for stopping in and observing his works.