A MODERN SPIN ON CLASSICAL IDEALS: AN INTERVIEW WITH BRANDON BRAVO
Brandon Bravo was born in Rhode Island, but currently works out of the New York metropolitan area. He will receive his BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) from Kean University and has showcased his works at the Perth Amboy Cultural Center, 7House Gallery, and David Dupuy Gallery.
New Jersey-based artist, Brandon Bravo’s works reflect on the current state of his life, as well as the present events of the United States and the world at large. Often implementing the use of mise-en-scène, he stages his figures in a (manner) that not only critiques frequently overlooked social norms, but also challenges the viewer’s own preconceived notions. Ultimately, however, his goal is to create artworks that people can relate to, simply through a different point of view.
Traditionally trained, Brandon Bravo makes use of multiple classical techniques based on the work at hand. Said techniques include wet-on-wet, or “alla prima” —in which layers of wet paint are applied to previously administered layers of wet paint — and glazing, wherein thin layers of semi-transparent paints are layered on top of one another. In lighting his figures, he achieves an element of high drama through the use of Chiaroscuro. His influences include Rubens, Caravaggio and Durer.
