Glenn Brown: The Illusionist Artist
Glenn Brown has earned a reputation as a highly sought-after artist among collectors. His dreamy, surreal deconstructions and revisions of art history’s most famous subjects and styles have captivated audiences worldwide. Brown’s ability to play with illusion, creating works that appear physical and impasto but are in fact meticulously crafted illusions, sets him apart in the art world. His paintings have a vibrancy that belies their true nature, achieved through the painstaking application of thin brush strokes over weeks and months.
The Birth of The Brown Collection
At a time when public funding is scarce, artist initiatives are on the rise in the UK. However, few have combined creativity and collecting to the extent that Glenn Brown has. The Brown Collection is the culmination of his passion for both creating and collecting art. Housed in a carefully renovated 1905 warehouse in Marylebone, the museum offers four floors of exhibition space, each has been carefully designed to provide an ideal setting for the artworks on display.
The Leisure Centre: An Unconventional Salon
The inaugural exhibition at The Brown Collection, titled “The Leisure Centre,” sets the scene for visitors. Brown describes the concept as akin to a 19th-century salon, a meeting place for artists, but rejects the exclusivity often associated with such spaces. He emphasises that The Brown Collection is open to everyone, fostering an inclusive environment where art can be appreciated by all. The exhibition features around 25 of Brown’s own drawings, paintings, and sculptures, both old and new, presented alongside the artists who inspired him.
Conversations with the Masters
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Brown Collection is the dialogue between Brown’s works and those of the master artists who influenced him. The exhibition includes pieces by French painters such as Jean Greuze and Henri Fantin-Latour, as well as masters of the Dutch Golden Age like Abraham Bloemaert and Cornelis van Haarlem. By juxtaposing his own creations with the historical works that inspired them, Brown invites viewers to engage in a captivating conversation spanning centuries.
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A Windowless Sculpture Room: The Artist’s Studio
Descending into the basement gallery of The Brown Collection, visitors are greeted by a windowless sculpture room, designed to evoke the atmosphere of an artist’s studio. This space houses some of Brown’s spectacularly textured sculptural pieces, showcasing his mastery of form and material. The sculptures, with their intricate details and tactile qualities, provide a unique perspective on Brown’s artistic process and further enrich the museum experience.
A Location of Inspiration
The central location of The Brown Collection, just a stone’s throw from the esteemed Wallace Collection, holds particular significance for Brown. The proximity allows visitors to witness many of the works that have influenced him throughout his career. Notable examples include Brown’s transformation of Fragonard’s “A Boy as Pierrot” into his own artwork and “Searched Hard for You and Your Special Ways,” which is prominently featured in the opening exhibition. This interplay between past and present lends a sense of continuity and artistic evolution to The Brown Collection.
A Museum for All
The Brown Collection is open to the public free of charge on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Brown’s vision for the museum goes beyond providing access to his own works and the masterpieces he has collected. He aims to create a space that encourages visitors to slow down, appreciate art, and enjoy a rich cultural experience. The museum’s ambiance, with its carefully chosen colour palettes, parquet floors, and inviting armchairs, aims to evoke the feeling of being in a living room, fostering a sense of intimacy and contemplation.
The Grand Vision of Glenn Brown
Glenn Brown’s grand vision for The Brown Collection extends beyond the confines of his museum’s walls. He seeks to showcase artists who are often overlooked and undervalued, providing a platform for their work to be seen and appreciated. Brown’s passion for examining lines as the basis of composition shines through in his meticulous drawings, which bridge the gap between large-scale paintings and intimate, domestic spaces. Through his museum, he invites visitors to join him on a journey of artistic exploration and discovery.
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