HEDGE Gallery is proud to represent 13 fine artists from the Northeast Ohio Region, including Cleveland native Justin Brennan and Stephen Kasner who recently returned to Cleveland from California.

Brennan and Kasner will exhibit their recent work in two separate exhibitions at HEDGE this summer, both opening July 21.

Kasner’s last exhibit in Cleveland was at 1300 Gallery’s infamous “Sexhibition” in 2003. Since then he has shown internationally, extensively in California, and his paintings were most recently included in the feature length film “The Devil’s Candy” premiering in theaters spring 2017.

Stephen’s works–which include ink drawings, prints, and oil paintings–are eerie, yet strangely beautiful psychological landscapes. Symbols of nature and the human body appear throughout his work, creating avenues to express personal experiences and connect with viewers’ emotional struggles. His hauntingly familiar figures are poignant studies, often suggested through simple line work or in painterly shadows.

This exciting preview to a more expansive 2018 exhibition of his drawings and paintings will serve as a dramatic re-introduction of his work to Cleveland.

Art has always been an influence in Justin Brennan’s life, but he only became serious about painting in 2005. Mostly self taught, he relied on trial and error throughout his learning process, experimenting with a variety of paint mediums and collage, and now works diligently in his studio located at 78th Street Studios.

Justin is known for his abstract expressionistic style, often combing oil, enamel, and spray paint to create thick, layered works that are energetic and spontaneous. Recently he has been focusing on the human figure, incorporating faces and torsos, while still pushing rich brush strokes and automatic mark-making. The figures are ambiguous, often with no facial features or large marks covering their heads, yet Brennan is still able to capture a raw emotion that is evident through bold color choices and the immediacy of his application.

Justin Brennan’s exhibit at HEDGE Gallery will be his most extensive show to date, a collection of his progression in painting from 2012-present.

 

HEDGE Gallery

1300 West 78th St., Suite 200

Cleveland, Ohio 44012

216.650.4201

hedgeartgallery.com

 

Justin Brennan, Paintings and Drawings, on view July 21-September 1

Stephen Kasner, Homecoming Preview, on view July 21-September 1

 

Upcoming:

Nikki Woods, Solo Exhibition, September 15- October 27