Call of the Void, Brittany Beach, 2019, mixed media, 36 x 36 in. / 91.44 x 91.44 cm.

Industrial and Organic: The Art of Brittany Beach

May 25, 2024 Gavin Coates

Featured image: Call of the Void, Brittany Beach, 2019, mixed media, 36 x 36 in. / 91.44 x 91.44 cm.

Brittany Beach's artwork explores the intricate connections between human experience, environmental themes, and industrial materials through her innovative mixed media sculptures and installations.

Brittany Beach is an artist renowned for her mixed media installations that explore the nexus between human experience and environmental themes, using a combination of organic forms and industrial materials to challenge and expand on contemporary art dialogues.

Her creations, including "Pretty S(k)in," "Industrial Colostrum in Space: O Mothership," and "DOA Poppy Curtain," manifest a unique synthesis of organic forms and synthetic materials, creating powerful commentaries on modern existence. This review delves into the conceptual depth and aesthetic intricacies of Beach’s work.

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"Pretty S(k)in" (2021):

Pretty S(k)in, Brittany Beach, 2021, mixed media, 4 x 3 ft. / 48 x 36 in.

"Pretty S(k)in" is a mixed media piece that stretches 4 x 3 feet, composed of fabric, beads, and grommets. This artwork intricately layers textured materials to create a tapestry that resonates with themes of beauty and vulnerability. The utilization of translucent and delicate fabrics adorned with beads suggests human skin, while the rugged grommets introduce an element of industrial harshness, symbolizing the societal pressures and external forces that impact personal identity. Beach's piece is both a visual feast and a poignant exploration of self-perception and societal expectation.

"Industrial Colostrum in Space: O Mothership" (2022):

Industrial Colostrum in Space: O Mothership, Brittany Beach, 2022, mixed media, 26 x 36 x 30 in. / 66.04 x 91.44 x 76.2 cm.

In this daring sculpture, Beach uses welded steel, melted plastic, and UV paint to construct a form that merges imagery of an egg and a breast, alluding to motherhood and nurturing in an industrial context. The piece, measuring 26 x 36 x 30 inches, glows under black light, enhancing its futuristic appeal while commenting on the unnatural interventions into natural life processes. The juxtaposition of industrial materials with the biological implications of the forms challenges viewers to consider the intersections of technology, biology, and the maternal figure in contemporary society.

"DOA Poppy Curtain" (2022):

DOA Poppy Curtain, Brittany Beach, 2022, mixed media, 68 x 43 in. / 172.72 x 109.22 cm.

The "DOA Poppy Curtain," measuring 68 x 43 inches, is a vividly patterned curtain that combines the symbolic imagery of poppies—often associated with sleep, peace, and death—with an overlay that suggests a DOA (Dead on Arrival) tag. This artwork merges notions of beauty, tranquility, and mortality, provoking contemplation on the cycles of life and the inevitability of death. The rich colors and intricate patterns contrast with the somber themes, creating a dynamic interplay that invites viewers to ponder deeper existential questions.

Brittany Beach's art masterfully blends conceptual depth with material innovation, using mixed media to probe complex themes such as identity, environmental impact, and the human condition. Her works "Pretty S(k)in," "Industrial Colostrum in Space: O Mothership," and "DOA Poppy Curtain" not only showcase her technical skill but also her ability to engage with profound issues, making her pieces resonant and thought-provoking contributions to contemporary art.

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