Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Cecily Brown Biography
Cecily Brown is a British painter, renowned for her vibrant, energetic, and sensuous works that navigate the boundaries between abstraction and figuration. Born in London in 1969, Brown has established herself as one of the most celebrated artists working in painting today. Her work is characterized by a dynamic application of paint, rich color palettes, and compositions that draw from a diverse range of art historical references and genres.
Brown's early life was steeped in the arts, being the daughter of novelist Shena Mackay and art critic David Sylvester. Her upbringing in the idyllic countryside of Surrey, England, was complemented by the creative influences of her family, notably her grandmother and two uncles who were also artists. From a young age, Brown was determined to become an artist, a dream that was supported by her family. Her father introduced her to the work of prominent painters such as Francis Bacon, Willem de Kooning, and Howard Hodgkin, which would later influence her own artistic style.
Brown's formal art education began at the Epsom School of Art in Surrey, where she earned a B-TEC Diploma in Art and Design. She further honed her skills by taking drawing and printmaking classes at Morley College in London. Brown's academic journey culminated at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art, where she received a BA in Fine Arts with First Class Honors. During her time at Slade, she was awarded first prize in the National Competition for British Art Students.
In the early 1990s, Brown found the London art scene dominated by the Young British Artists, whose work often involved installations and spectacle. Feeling somewhat out of place with her passion for painting, Brown decided to move to New York City in 1994, where she believed her work would be better received. The move proved to be a turning point in her career. In New York, she found a community of artists who were also interested in revitalizing figurative painting.
Brown's early work in New York gained attention for its abstracted paintings of rabbits, which were featured in her breakthrough show in 1997. These works displayed a blend of sexual and pornographic themes, a subject matter that she would continue to explore throughout her career. Her paintings often challenge the viewer's perceptions, as the compositions break down into restless and elusive activity, obscuring singular readings.
Throughout her career, Brown has had numerous solo exhibitions and has participated in significant group shows. Her notable solo exhibitions include "Directions - Cecily Brown" at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, "Cecily Brown" at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and "Cecily Brown: Rehearsal" at the Drawing Center in New York. Her work has been included in public collections such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Tate Gallery, and the Foundation Louis Vuitton.
Brown's paintings are known for their gestural brushwork and exploration of sexual imagery. Her large-scale canvases often feature figures in sexual acts, veiled by a flurry of color and motion. This approach has led to her work being compared to that of early Abstract Expressionists, and she has been recognized as a significant figure in contemporary painting.
In addition to her painting, Brown has also worked in other mediums, including animation and monotypes. Her process is often slow and drawn out, with several canvases in progress at any given time, allowing her to explore different compositional possibilities and motifs.
Brown's success in the art world is reflected not only in the critical acclaim she has received but also in the value of her work, with some pieces selling in the seven-figure range. She continues to live and work in New York City, where she remains an influential figure in contemporary art.
Cecily Brown Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: