Justin Brooks embarks on a search for meaning through the intimate facets of life. Between his expressive drawings and hyper-detailed oil paintings, he presents surreal alternate realities that resonate with viewers on a personal and collective level. Elaborately composed sets of figures, objects, and landscapes unearth stories from the liminal space between memory, lived experience, and speculative future. Meticulously sifting through photographic references and extensive research, he diligently orchestrates his compositions through preliminary stages of sketches. His paintings are not merely windows but entire hauntingly familiar worlds that envelop his viewers.

Narratives of human nature reveal the symbiotic harmony between chaos and order, natural and ethereal, the everyday and that which is beyond belief. These dichotomies within Brooks’ work echo the struggles we face today. He dissects societal issues and the components of daily life that we no longer seem to question - the isolating impact of technology, prioritization of consumption, and blind acceptance of a radical progression of our world. His imagery reestablishes a direct form of communication in an age where our interactions have become increasingly depersonalized. In his painting, we witness the lasting impact of modernity we embody on a biological, emotional, and spiritual level.

While Brooks offers glimpses into his own journey through his imagery, the narratives he weaves speak to a larger role each individual has on our shared history and legacy. He challenges us to rethink our perception of the world and our role within it. From these revelatory experiences, he asks us to find ways to reestablish connection and restore our sense of empathy in a world seemingly crumbling under the weight of superficiality and alienation.

Justin Brooks has channeled the years of professional training he received from his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute and Master of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art, into an established artistic practice. To date, Brooks has exhibited extensively with Stone Sparrow NYC as well as Christies and has been featured in publications such as Hyperallergic.

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Education

New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

Masters of Fine Arts, Painting 2019

 

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting 2009

 

Selected Exhibitions

2023

  • Inside Job 2023, Christie’s New York, New York, NY

  • Mother Earth, Stone Sparrow NYC, New York, NY

2022

  • Masquerade, Stone Sparrow NYC, New York, NY

  • Inside Job 2022, Christie’s New York, New York, NY

  • Dog Days of Summer, Stone Sparrow NYC, New York, NY

2021

  • Blue Review Online Exhibition, Sugarlift, New York, NY

  • The Devil is in the Details, Stone Sparrow NYC, New York, NY

2020

  • Annual Members Invitational, New York Artists Equity Association, Inc., Equity Gallery, New York, NY

  • Contemporary Narratives, Stone Sparrow NYC, New York, NY

2019

  • 13th Hour, Last Rites Gallery, New York, NY

  • Hell’s Kitchen, Last Rites Gallery, New York, NY

  • Awake, Dacia Gallery, New York, NY

  • 2019 Summer Exhibition, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

  • MFA Thesis Exhibition, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

  • Tribeca Ball, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

  • 0-0 LA Gallery’s GIFC, The Hole, New York, NY

2018

  • Holiday Group Exhibition, Dacia Gallery, New York, NY

  • Buy What You Love Auction, The Rema Hort Mann Foundation, New York, NY

  • Eight-Year Anniversary Group Exhibition, Dacia Gallery, New York, NY

  • Summer in the City, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

  • Tribeca Ball, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

  • F*ck Art group exhibition, Image Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

  • Small Beauties, Era Contemporary Gallery, Philadelphia, PA/New York, NY

2017

  • Deck the Walls, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

  • Once Upon a Dream, Era Contemporary Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

  • Buy What You Love Auction, The Rema Hort Mann Foundation, New York, NY

  • Single Fare 4, Highline Stages, New York, NY

  • Front of House/Back of House group exhibition, Christies, New York, NY

2016

  • Concrete Beach group exhibition, World Money Gallery c/o Simply Gallery Wynwood, Miami, FL

  • Hundred, a Small Works Exhibition, World Money Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2012

  • Left Field, C.C.C.P. North Lights Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

  • Juried Drawing Show, Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2010

  • The New Order, 99% Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2009

  • Hmmmm... Yess, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Residencies

2019

  • Teaching Artist in Residence, National Endowment for the Arts Grant, Sodus, NY

Scholorships and Awards

2018-2019

  • Art Exhibition Service Scholarship, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

2017-2019

  • Academy Scholar Award, New York Academy of Art, New York, NY

Publications

2023

  • Meet Justin Brooks, November 22nd, CanvasRebel

    https://canvasrebel.com/meet-justin-brooks/

2022

2019

2018