HEDGE Gallery is looking forward to a compelling new year! We will be kicking off 2021 with an exhibition of Justin Brennan’s prolific paintings.

Justin has been producing a multitude of works in his eclectic mix of mediums: oil paint, oil stick, enamel, collage, latex and spray paint. Themes of Pop Art-inspired portraits were evolving in 2019, but as COVID-19 became a reality in March of 2020, Brennan’s work became influenced by in-depth self-reflection. Feelings of unrest inspired his painting styles to bounce from frantic mark-making to controlled strokes; and as the pandemic worsened, the work only got more personal.

Soon a series of portraits developed based on the artist’s face and those of loved ones, rather than found imagery. Justin also created a series of narrative paintings with symbolism, exposing personal-life issues such as mental-health struggles and addictive qualities. His recent neo-expressionistic paintings depict human figures, loosely painted in strident parodies, with underling commentary on current urban culture.

General Maintenance, featuring new paintings by Justin Brennan, will be on view January 15 through March 5.