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.
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
Artists Find Inspiration in Uncertainty at Arts in Bushwick, September 19th, Hyperallergic
https://hyperallergic.com/761917/artists-find-inspiration-in-uncertainty-at-arts-in-bushwick/
2019
Surrealist Art from ‘Hell’s Kitchen’, August 9th, Flavorwire
https://www.flavorwire.com/p/surrealist-art-from-hells-kitchen-18547142
2018
Naomi Watts, Brooke Shields Support Emerging Artists at the 2018 Tribeca Ball, April 10th, Women’s Wear Daily
http://wwd.com/eye/parties/naomi-watts-brooke-shields-tribeca-ball- new-york-academy-art-1202646422/
Size Matters at Era Contemporary’s ‘Small Beauties’ Art Exhibit, June 28th, Explore With Cassie
https://explorewithcassie.com/size-matters-at-era-contemporarys-small-beauties-art-exhibit/