Featured image: LiTTLE KNiVES, Jeff Brown, 2024, found objects with acrylic on board, 10 x 14 in. / 25.4 x 35.56 cm.
Jeff Brown’s assemblage art transforms discarded objects and natural materials into profound statements about morality, faith, and the passage of time.
Jeff Brown transforms found objects and natural materials into assemblages that explore themes of morality, faith, and the fragility of life through symbolic narratives.
Using an eclectic mix of found items, Brown constructs visually arresting pieces that provoke introspection. His works illustrate the depth of his artistry, each one layered with symbolic meaning and raw, visceral textures.
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STiGMATA, Jeff Brown, 2023, found object and material with acrylic on board, 9 x 16 in. / 22.86 x 40.64 cm.
In STiGMATA (2023), Brown reimagines a vintage garden trowel as a representation of physical and spiritual suffering. The trowel’s palm-shaped patch of red metal evokes the stigmata wounds traditionally associated with religious martyrdom. Mounted on a textured board with the word “STIGMATA” painted in bold red and green, the piece draws attention to the universality of pain and redemption. The stark contrast between the raw materials and the vibrant colors invites viewers to reflect on the intersection of labor, sacrifice, and spirituality.
GOOD + EViL (Legs), Jeff Brown, 2019, found objects and material with acrylic on board, 16 x 12 in. / 40.64 x 30.48 cm.
GOOD + EViL (Legs) (2019) juxtaposes a wax doll’s leg with a mummified turkey leg, creating a dialogue between innocence and decay. The doll’s pristine aesthetic contrasts sharply with the dark, weathered texture of the preserved turkey leg, symbolizing the coexistence of purity and corruption. The background of found materials, split into dark and light halves, reinforces the dichotomy between moral binaries. Brown’s intricate framing elevates the assemblage into a shrine-like object, compelling viewers to grapple with the complexity of ethical choices.
Mouse Skull Retablo, Jeff Brown, 2020, found materials with wax and mixed media on board, 19 x 22 in. / 48.26 x 55.88 cm.
Mouse Skull Retablo (2020) is a haunting composition of mouse bones fused with beeswax to form a human skull. Accented with found metal and teeth, the skull is crowned with a red cross, adding a somber religious undertone. The piece’s textured background of aged materials mirrors the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Brown’s meticulous arrangement transforms these humble materials into a macabre yet reverent homage to mortality, faith, and the fleeting nature of existence.
Jeff Brown’s artworks collectively explore the tension between opposing forces: suffering and redemption, innocence and corruption, life and death. Through his thoughtful use of found objects and symbolic imagery, Brown invites viewers to examine the layers of meaning hidden in everyday materials. His assemblages serve as tactile narratives that connect deeply with human experiences, transcending the ordinary to reveal profound truths.
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LiTTLE DEATHS, Jeff Brown, 2020, found objects with mixed media on board, 8 x 5 in. / 20.32 x 12.7 cm.
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