“BLOOM” TROY BROOKS
““This series represents a growth spurt, in that my brushwork grew more confident and expressive than it has ever been. I wanted to highlight this by letting a portion of the bare canvas show in some of the paintings, which is something I’ve never done before. I liked seeing that rough edge of oil paint frozen in the process of an image being created.””
May 18-June 22, 2024
The Corey Helford Gallery in downtown Los Angeles is set to host an enthralling solo exhibition by Canadian painter Troy Brooks. The exhibition, entitled "BLOOM," will open on Saturday, May 18th, in Gallery 2. This marks Brooks' fourth solo display at CHG, introducing over 20 new pieces.
Troy Brooks, hailing from Ontario, Canada, is celebrated for his unique and surrealistic depictions of elongated female figures. These figures are deeply influenced by classic Hollywood aesthetics and ancient mythological themes. Dubbed as the ‘women of Troy,’ these portraits are not only glamorous but also carry a mysterious seductiveness and profound emotional depth. Each piece captures these women in moments of intimate transformation, adding a narrative richness that has become a signature in Brooks’ work.
Brooks’ influence in the pop-surrealist movement is significant. His work has been showcased internationally across several prominent art scenes including in Canada, the U.S., Germany, England, France, and Australia. The upcoming "BLOOM" exhibition promises to be a captivating experience for art lovers and followers of Brooks' evolving artistic journey.
Regarding his upcoming show, Brooks shares, “My motivation with this series was to convey moments of recognition, where a woman might notice her own likeness in the curve and design of nature. With each painting I realized I was creating a visual space in contrast to the chaotic pace and media pollution of the modern world. This series was intended to evoke calm and serenity, with a sensory response to the qualities of Spring.
I’ve been painting my ‘Bloom girls’ from the very beginning of my career. They started as paintings I worked on between projects, usually as a way to unwind after putting a complicated narrative together. They were a meditation, a pleasant improvisation of bold natural pigments and floral compositions. These women are verdant, ethereal; enveloped by clusters of cyclopean flowers. They hold court in pools of vivid colors and dappled light. Each figure poses in a reaching movement, suggesting a tranquil sequence of garden ballets.”
He adds, “This series represents a growth spurt, in that my brushwork grew more confident and expressive than it has ever been. I wanted to highlight this by letting a portion of the bare canvas show in some of the paintings, which is something I’ve never done before. I liked seeing that rough edge of oil paint frozen in the process of an image being created.
A full series takes me the better part of a year from conception to completion. For any project to hold my interest, there must be layers that go deeper than what immediately meets the eye. Working on my ‘Bloom girls’ in the context of a series gave these radiant characters room to branch out into the other elements, from earth then to wind, fire, and water. What began as an ebullient bouquet of color and motion flourished into a study of the eternal feminine energies in nature and the quiet intimacy of a woman in moments of profound stillness and reflection.”