Robert Brasher
www.robertbrasher.com

     Interconnectedness is the first consideration of Robert Brasher’s paintings.  The pieces are begun with an abstract looseness that ties all elements together.  This fusion lasts for many layers before any subject differentiation establishes itself.  Just as all objects have a gravitational pull on each other, Robert’s colors and textures bleed and influence each other equally, until, after many applications of translucent oil, the perception of subject matter begins to assert itself, like a dream, almost forgotten, and begins to gel. The process of painting can lead the artist beyond mere  narration, and the need for exterior influence is negated….A flash of light emitting from the interplay of innumerable sources in the city, or the myriad reflections on the city sidewalks after and during the rain, these are some of the promptings that lead the paintings on the unending trail to the ineffable.  Relationships between the imposing structural surroundings and the human element that inhabits them are explored and distilled as well as purely formal challenges dealing with two dimensional space and color.  Color as emotion, evocative and expressive. 

Selected Studies and Exhibitions:

2008-9 Project 465 , first artist into the residency in Chicago

August 2008 State Street Gallery, 2 man show, Chicago

July, 2008  Group Show, River East Art Center, Chicago

August, 2007  Cityscapes, 1 man show, Union League of Chicago

April 2007 Courtyard Gallery, New Buffalo, Michigan Cityscape Show

2006 Gallery 91, Chapel Hill, NC. One man show

March, 2006 “The Chicago Collection”, Hancock Building, Chicago 1900-Present
                          Group show featuring Chicago painters and their take on the city
                           Of Chicago historically

April, 2005  Lipa Gallery, Michigan Ave, Chicago.  Group show entitled “The Knockoff     
                       Show”, Robert reviewed favorably by Alan Artner

November, 2005  Fort Wayne Museum of Art, “Art For Sale”, exhibited cityscapes
                        With ten self portraits
August. 2005     Fine Arts Gallery, Michigan Ave, Chicago.  Solo show, “To All the Girls
                               I’ve Loved Before”  A tongue in cheek look at relationships Through  
                               Portraiture . Many reviews, mostly good.

January, 2004  Viridian Gallery, New York City. Group show featuring landscapes

Selected Studies

     Robert has studied at several universities in the Chicago land area. These include:
The Art Institute of Chicago, Indiana University, Purdue University, Loyola University, Roosevelt University, the Palette and Chisel Academy, among others.  He has received several art scholarships along the way, including the Gonska Award for Exhibiting Exceptional Creative Potential from Loyola, the Smith Scholarship for the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mulcahy Scholarship for Loyola University.