Interview
Carol Brown
Named one of the “Top Artists To Watch” in 2018, Carol Brown is a New York-based artist and filmmaker, originally from Birmingham, England. Her work has been featured in British Vogue, World of Interiors, British GQ, and other renowned design and fashion publications. Brown began her career in independent film, which colored her approach to art and storytelling.
She strives to capture beautiful moments of everyday life, evoking reverential awe for the majesty of nature; a connection and feeling of oneness with the universe inside of you. Working on canvas and acrylic, she recreates the textures and tones of her environment and brings a vivid realism and authenticity to the work. Whether on film, canvas or print, her art looks at familiar and obscure sights in nature in a more abstract way, finding hidden layers in the beauty and complexity therein.
Could you introduce yourself and tell us how you started your journey in the art world?
“My name is Carol Brown. I was born in Birmingham, England, where I studied art in school. I moved to New York City, and it was there that I started working in independent film. Most had micro budgets and therefore had to fill many roles, which allowed me to be creative and gain valuable experience. I was the hair and makeup artist, costume designer and still photographer - all self-taught skills that I continue to apply to my own sets today.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The themes in my figurative works and films always tend to involve beautiful women with a mysterious agenda and a story to tell. Empowerment and sexuality exude from the characters as they come to life and the story unfolds. Inspiration from fashion and current events help propel the storylines for my prints and film works, and I try to show the many layers to the characters' personalities and motivation.”
What would you say inspires you most?
“I would say my environment inspires me most - nature and the people around me. I try to capture the energy that I feel experiencing the connection between me and that moment.”
“With a spirit of Independent Film woven throughout my work, I tell stories. Whether on film or captured on canvas, or acrylic, or in print, my characters are bold and complex, inviting intrigue and exploration into the mix.”
How would you describe your work?
“With my work, I try to recreate that moment when a particular image became clear, the moment I experienced the connection and I knew that I would always remember it that way. I try to recreate the feeling this stirred in me.
My nature-inspired abstract works aim to capture a moment in time, a single moment that evokes feelings of being one with the universe, nature within and without. The landscapes are large, as are the stories they tell. The works look at familiar, yet they obscure sights in nature in a more abstract way, finding hidden layers in the beauty and complexity we often overlook and appreciate rediscovering.
My film and figurative works tell stories of beautiful women who are confident and driven, and often playful and sexy. These works are contemporary and erotic in nature.”
What is your creative process like?
“First comes the idea or motivation for the project. It could be from nature scenes - special quiet moments that I connect with that I want to capture and share. Or sometimes I have an idea for a film and it starts coming to life in my head and consumes me until completion. Often there is a message, a narrative involved. I enjoy developing my voice through this medium.
I shoot digitally as this allows ease of transfer during post. Then I manipulate the image further to perfect it. I work on canvas using acrylics to recreate the textures and tones of the environment, which brings a vivid realism and authenticity to the work. Visuals and sounds evolve as the project develops and takes form. I create sound and music to accompany some projects that I create using digital instruments.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am not consciously aware of being influenced by any one artist. There is so much amazing work to get absorbed in: movies that I’ll watch over and over again, music and art that makes you cry because it touches you so deeply. There are so many works made by these incredible artists that inspire me to be as good and honest with my work.
My work represents me and my experience, and it is the stories that I want to tell of the world as I see it.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s role in society is to be its voice; to record and reflect social events and sentiment, bringing a sense of permanence to fleeting moments in time. Art offers something to connect with that brings reflective calm and beauty to the eye of the beholder that is entirely personal.”
“An artist’s role in society extends everywhere. Art feeds the soul, so it is needed at all times.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I recently began exhibiting my work in outdoor public exhibitions: Shibuya Station Exhibition 2019 in Tokyo, and Passeig de Gracia Exhibition 2019 in Barcelona marked my entrance into the public. More recently, I showed my work at The Best of SPRUNG 4 Exhibition 2020 at Big Screen Plaza in New York City. I loved it! The work was huge! I get such a buzz seeing my art out in the public arena for all to see and enjoy.”
