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John Brosio
Featuring monstrous, Godzilla-like scenarios with oversized phenomena such as crows, dinosaurs, crabs, chickens and tornadoes towering over otherwise calm suburban scenes, John Brosio’s oil paintings blend the epic and fantastical with the everyday and mundane. In other compositions, lone human brides emerge from UFOs, wolves prowl desolate streets, and human skeletons enact everyday scenes alongside fleshy but otherwise oblivious humans. The humour, absurdity and even terror in his works spotlight the ‘creepiness that can come from American suburban life’ as well providing a unique contemporary mythology of 20th century American suburban and pop-cultural consciousness.
Considering the distinctly cinematic feel to Brosio’s...
Featuring monstrous, Godzilla-like scenarios with oversized phenomena such as crows, dinosaurs, crabs, chickens and tornadoes towering over otherwise calm suburban scenes, John Brosio’s oil paintings blend the epic and fantastical with the everyday and mundane. In other compositions, lone human brides emerge from UFOs, wolves prowl desolate streets, and human skeletons enact everyday scenes alongside fleshy but otherwise oblivious humans. The humour, absurdity and even terror in his works spotlight the ‘creepiness that can come from American suburban life’ as well providing a unique contemporary mythology of 20th century American suburban and pop-cultural consciousness.
Considering the distinctly cinematic feel to Brosio’s paintings, it is hardly surprising that cinema plays a huge role in the development and iconography of his work. Growing up in Pasadena, California, he was influenced by films such as Star Wars, Godzilla, Wizard of Oz, and the stop-motion animation artist, Ray Harryhausen. Brosio developed a particular interest in movie special effects, and in fact in his junior year of college in 1990, he interned at the George Lucas Industrial Light and Magic Company in the Creature Shop.
With their looming background figures which threaten destruction and chaos, Brosio’s paintings represent the ‘elephant in the room’ or those things ‘swept under the carpet’ by our contemporary society – issues such as global warming and environmental issues, and the corrupt machinations of our economy, marked by fraud, extortion, illegitimate wealth and unfair poverty. Despite our best attempts to ignore, downplay and dismiss these ‘background’ issues, the uncomfortable truths and hidden costs of our affluent modern-day lifestyles rear their heads in bizarre and unpredictable ways – not unlike Big Foot, the Lockness Monster and UFOs – things that lurk in the night or in the deep recesses of the human collective unconscious. Brosio has often spoken about his personal dissatisfaction and frustration that have given birth to these works and muses that ‘maybe a lot of these paintings are like a terrarium, an allegory maybe of everything we all have to contend with, pro and con’.
Brosio also speaks about the strong influence of the sciences on his artistic practice – animals, natural phenomenon, the fossil record, astronomy and cosmology. He touts Carl Sagan as a major personal hero of his, and in many ways Sagan’s concept of the ‘pale blue dot’ could be a metaphor for how Brosio’s paintings showcase the ridiculous theatre of human life in comparison to the majestic, wild infinity beyond. Brosio also speaks about his interest in the scientific concept of ‘the Holographic Principle’ and the idea of the universe as a simulation or an imagined reality. In this way, his works make a lot more sense; they are often situated in that in-between zone of science and fiction, otherwise known as science fiction. It is for this reason that he loves tornadoes which he deems ‘a blend of mythology and science’ – ‘a kind of meeting point between what was considered legitimate (a real thing) and non legitimate (Godzilla) in art’. Similarly, the certain anachronisms that exist in his work, like dinosaurs, take on a whole new meaning. Perhaps in a symbolic way they are omens of what may one day be regarded of our own species – fossils and relics of the past.
With the stylistic influence of cinema then, Brosio’s paintings form a kind of artifice or constructed reality not unlike a film set. This is particularly evident in his more recent works where compositional elements such as trees and buildings appear as two-dimensional cut-outs in an otherwise three-dimensional spatial environment. They are also often accompanied by flat backgrounds with scribbled figures superimposed, almost as if drawn in crayon by a child. Brosio has a keen interest in the science of painting itself and often mentions his past teachers, particularly Wayne Thiebaud, as being hugely influential on his methods as a painter. Other painterly influences include Edward Hopper, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Giorgio di Chirico and Morandi. In Brosio’s words ‘learning to paint has to do with continually learning to see and that’s the exciting part’. In the same way that he deconstructs the elements of painting itself, he also encourages us as the viewer to deconstruct our understandings of the structures in the world around us, and envisage our way forward as a society in a new manner.
Born in Pasadena, California in 1967, Brosio graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He then studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena between 1992 and 1995.
Brosio’s work has been exhibited throughout the US, and also in Hong Kong. He has been featured in multiple print publications including, VICE Magazine, Huffington Post, American Art Collector, Flavorpill and Juxtapoz. He currently lives and works in his home town of Pasadena, California.
Please contact us if you would like to buy an original painting by John Brosio or to be notified when we have new available art for sale.
Original Art
- Naoto Hattori - 'Harmony with Nature 027' - acrylic on board
- Beachghost - 'Dragonslayer Xanthe' - ink and watercolour on cotton rag paper
- Erika Sanada - 'Bond' - ceramic and cold finish
- Ellie Davies - 'Microraptor' - oil paint on wooden panel
- Clare Toms - 'Honour' - oil on board
- Thrift Creeper - 'Some Kind of Doodle or Something' - polymer clay, Apoxie sculpt, ceramic, acrylic
- Caroline Gaudreault - 'Madame Bouvier' - acrylic on panel
- Shannon Taylor - 'The Lilac Tree' - watercolour collage in antique bubble glass frame
- The Serpent Thread - 'Cycles' - hand embroidery with cotton and metallic thread, watercolour, pyrite and labradorite beads on cotton, custom wooden frame with labradorite cabochons and gold leaf
- Emilio Garcia - 'Jumping Brain - Black, Beinart Gallery edition' - resin sculpture, edition of 2
- Jolene Lai - 'The Fight' - oil on wood panel
- Jolene Lai - 'Birdcage' - oil on wood panel
- Jolene Lai - 'Rainbow's End' - oil on wood panel
- Dustin Myers - 'Mop-Top Molly' - oil on panel
- Michael Campbell - 'Our Mother of Mystery' - urethane resin, epoxy clay and acrylic paint
- Courtney Brims - 'Lure' - oil on wooden panel
- Bub Davis - 'S’Mores' - charcoal and graphite on paper
- Melissa Sue Stanley - 'A Curious Caution' - polymer clay and acrylic paint
- Caroline Dewison - 'Floral Dance #4' - PLA, medite, acrylic, epoxy clay, flock, wire, resin, acrylic mirror
- Caroline Dewison - 'Floral Dance #2' - PLA, medite, acrylic, epoxy clay, flock, wire, resin, acrylic mirror
- Kanako Abe - 'Song of New Beginnings' - paper and mixed media
- Miho Hirano - 'Liberation' - oil on canvas
- Miho Hirano - 'Spring Waltz' - oil on canvas
- Miho Hirano - 'With You #2' - oil on canvas
- Ellen Jewett - "The Merits of Disclosure" - air drying polymer, metal, no VOC resin, mineral pigments & acrylic paint
- Shoko Ishida - 'A Soaring Wish' - acrylic, coloured pencil, ink on wood panel
- Wendy Croxford - 'Bear with Me' - oil on Belle Arti gesso panel
- Wendy Croxford - 'Nymphula Fata 1' - oil on Ampersand gesso panel
- Wendy Croxford - 'Nymphula Fata 2' - oil on Ampersand gesso panel
- Catriona Secker - "Forest Dwellers" - acrylic on cradled birch panel
- Jale Soysal - 'Crown of Ivy' - epoxy clay, acrylic paint, metal, resin, crystal rhinestones, nylon
- Jale Soysal - 'Pearly Feet' - epoxy clay, acrylic paint, metal, resin
- Jale Soysal - 'Feathered Mongrel' - acrylic on board
- Jennifer Allnutt - 'The Butterfly Effect' - oil on aluminium composite panel
- Jennifer Allnutt - "Oubliette" - oils on custom wood panel arch
- Jennifer Allnutt - "Omertà" - oil on wood panel
- Jennifer Allnutt - 'La Belle' - oil on aluminium composite panel
- Jennifer Allnutt - "Every Silence" - oil on aluminium composite material
- Jennifer Allnutt - 'Yellow Moon' - oil on aluminium composite panel
- Jana Brike - "The Wayward Traveler" - oil on canvas
- Jana Brike - 'Lady and Her Green Boy Lover' - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - 'A Lady and a Dream' - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - 'Quiescence' - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - 'Bluebeard’s Bride and Her Moon of Honey' - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - 'Siren Song in a Storm' - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - "The Wild Madonna and Her Daughter" - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - 'Honeydew' - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - 'Triad' - oil on linen
- Jana Brike - 'Last Days of Summer' - oil on linen
- Meg Allan - 'Searching for Forgotten Dreams' - oil on panel
- Daniel Danckert - 'Invitation' - ink on paper
- Daniel Danckert - 'Woman of the Mire' - clay, resin and wood
- Leah Aripotch - 'Wallflower' - steel sculpture, chemical patina
- Leah Aripotch - 'Defensive' - steel sculpture, chemical patina, lacquer
- Calvin Ma - 'Broken Bloom' - ceramic, resin & acrylic paint
- Calvin Ma - 'Growth' - ceramic, resin & acrylic paint
- Calvin Ma - 'Sunny Days' - ceramic, resin & acrylic paint
- Calvin Ma - 'Wired' - ceramic, resin & acrylic paint
- Tanya Gomelskaya - 'Day Dreamer III' - Apoxie Sculpt and oil paint on panel and found frame
- Tanya Gomelskaya - 'Misery V' - Apoxie Sculpt and oil paint on panel and found frame
- Tanya Gomelskaya - 'In Flames' - oil paint and resin on panel with found frame
- Tanya Gomelskaya - 'Fallen' - Apoxie Sculpt and oil paint on panel and found frame
- Kim Slate - 'Just Between Us' - clay, gouache, acrylic, wire, epoxy and walnut board
- Kim Slate - 'Collectors' - clay, wire, gouache, acrylic, glass, epoxy & wood
- Kim Slate - 'Bit of Luck' - clay, gouache, acrylic, wire, epoxy and walnut board
- Kim Slate - 'Peace Offering' - clay, gouache, acrylic, wire, epoxy and walnut board
- Kim Slate - 'Safe and Sound' - clay, gouache, acrylic, wire, epoxy and walnut board
- Ewa Pronczuk-Kuziak - 'Too Many Feelings, Not Enough Tigers' - oil on linen
- Vincent Ultramarine - 'Who Left The Window Open' - gouache on watercolour paper
- Stella Im Hultberg - 'Fragrant Burdens' - jagae (Korean abalone shell and mother-of-pearl) and acrylic on wood
- Stella Im Hultberg - 'Sanguine' - acrylic on wood
- Stella Im Hultberg - 'Epistrophe' - acrylic on canvas
- Stella Im Hultberg - 'Tearache' - jagae (Korean abalone shell and mother-of-pearl) acrylic and graphite on clay
- Stella Im Hultberg - 'Somewhere in Time' - acrylic on wood
- Stella Im Hultberg - "Unremembered Stories" - jagae (mother of pearl) & acrylic on clay and wood
- Wrenn - 'Mental Decluttering' - acrylic on canvas
- Wrenn - 'Athena' - acrylic on canvas
- Rachael Bridge - 'Petals' - oil on panel
- Rovina Cai - 'Stars' - acrylic & coloured pencil on board
- Ashlea Bechaz - 'King Froggo Holding Court' - acryla gouache on wood panel
- Ashlea Bechaz - 'The Fish' - acryla gouache on birch wood panel
- Ashlea Bechaz - 'The Seer' - gouache on paper
- Ruby Li - 'From Here I Can See Almost Anything' - oil on board
- Ruby Li - 'Tell Me Your Secrets, They’re Safe With Me' - oil on board
- Stéphanie Kilgast - 'Chatter' - modeling clays, wire, paper, watercolour, acrylics, wooden box
- Stéphanie Kilgast - "Moving Pictures (Chameleon)" - mixed media sculpture on thrifted videotape
- Stéphanie Kilgast - 'Squid’s Story' - mixed media sculpture on empty paint tube
- Stéphanie Kilgast - "Snapshot" - mixed media sculpture on thrifted camera
- Stéphanie Kilgast - 'Sylvestre' - mixed media on tin can
- Stéphanie Kilgast - "Unicorn" - mixed media sculpture on thrifted Polly Pocket toy
- Stephanie Kilgast - "Rainbow Buddha (Toddlerpillar Customisation)" - mixed Media and vinyl Toddlerpillar
- Stefano Ronchi "Ronch" - 'The Golden Goose' - acrylic on canvas
- Pickled Circus - 'Spaghetti Yeti' - epoxy clay & resin
- Pickled Circus - 'Bugs Zombunny' - epoxy clay, ceramic & resin
- Jon Ching - 'Refresh' - oil on wood
- Jon Ching - 'Midas' - oil on wood
- Meagan "Magpie" Rodgers - 'Ambivalence' - graphite on paper
- Meagan "Magpie" Rodgers - "Succumb" - acrylic on board
- Kristen Egan - "Delphinus" - gourd, wood, paper clay, acrylics, metal leaf, brass and seashells
- Kristen Egan - "Boto" - gourd, wood, paper clay, acrylics, metal leaf, brass and seashells
- Kristen Egan - "Inia" - gourd, wood, paper clay, acrylics, metal leaf, brass and seashells
- Alex Garant - 'Soft Potions' - oil on canvas panel
- Alex Garant - "Gold Study 1" - oil on cradled canvas panel
- Alex Garant - 'Piment Fort' - oil on canvas panel
- Alex Garant - 'Always Sunny On Set' - oil on canvas panel
- Alex Garant - "Is This a Dream Or a Mirage?" - oil on canvas
- Alex Garant - "Is this a Mirage Or a Dream?" - oil on canvas
- Nom Kinnear King - 'Note Threads' - oil on wood
- Nom Kinnear King - 'By the Shallows' - oil on wood
- Nom Kinnear King - 'Pottinger' - oil on wood
- Scott Listfield - "Old Man Of The Mountain" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "Building 71" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "Building 30" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "Blue Moon" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "The City Has Eyes" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "Building 25" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "Ultraviolet Spectrum" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "Chemical Sky" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "Crystal Oracle" - oil on canvas
- Scott Listfield - "The Face With One Eye" - oil on canvas
- Brian M. Viveros - 'KO' - oil & acrylic on wood panel
- Brian M. Viveros - 'Dreamer' - oil & acrylic on wood panel
- Brian M. Viveros - 'Nine Lives' - oil & acrylic on wood panel
- Brian M. Viveros - 'Wild at Heart' - charcoal, pastel & graphite
- Jesús Aguado - "The Day of Bones" - acrylic on wood panel
- Jesús Aguado - "Emancipated Ear" - acrylic on cradled panel
- Jesús Aguado - 'The Cosmic Event' - acrylic on birch panel
- Jesús Aguado - 'Scaring Kiwis' - acrylic on birch panel
- Jesús Aguado - 'We Used to Be Friends' - acrylic on birch panel
- Jesús Aguado - "Emancipated Smell" - acrylic on cradled panel
- Jesús Aguado - "Pig Supplies" - acrylic on birch panel
- Super A - "Warped" - acrylic on linen
- Clémentine Bal - 'Little Portrait' - paint and pastel on a mixed media sculpture
- Clémentine Bal - "Carte Postale" - aerosol, acrylic, pastel on a mixed media sculpture
- Clémentine Bal - "Chien Rose " - aerosol, acrylic, coloured pencil, pastel on mixed media sculpture
- Clémentine Bal - "Meilleure Vie" - aerosol, acrylic, pastel on a mixed media sculpture
- Clémentine Bal - "Gardienne" - aerosol, acrylic, pastel on a mixed media sculpture
- Clémentine Bal - "Emma" - aerosol, acrylic, pastel on a mixed media sculpture
- Josh Keyes - "Red Snow" - acrylic on birch panel
- Dewi Plass - 'All That Is Dear' - acrylic on cradled birch panel
- Dewi Plass - 'Habitat (Soul Nourishments)' - acrylic on cradled birch panel
- Dewi Plass - "Stuck (through the motions)" - acrylic on cradled birch panel
- Dewi Plass - "Transform (the magic we create)" - acrylic on cradled birch panel
- Dolaana Davaa - 'Nothing Left' - poplar plywood, wood pulp, tempera, gold wax
- Dolaana Davaa - 'Until I Disappear' - poplar plywood, PU resin, tempera, gold wax
- Dolaana Davaa - 'Black & White Demon Mask' - wood pulp, tempera and synthetic hair
- Marco Mazzoni - "Happy" - colored pencils on paper
- Wiley Wallace - "End Together" - acrylic on panel
- Wiley Wallace - "All Over" - acrylic on panel
- Wiley Wallace - "Bright Night" - acrylic on panel
- Wiley Wallace - "Prism Sunrise" - acrylic on panel
- Beau White - '2 Minutes to Midnight' - oil on board
- Beau White - "What's Inside A Tardigrade?" - epoxy clay, polymer clay, plastic toothpicks, oil paint & vinyl Toddlerpillar
- Beau White - 'Algal Bloom' - oil on board
- Beau White - "One Toe In The Grave" - oil on board
- Beau White - 'Candy From a Baby' - oil on cradled hexagonal panel
- Beau White - "Once Upon A Time" - oil on board
- Beau White - "Missing In Action" - oil on board
- Beau White - "Chance Meeting" - oil on board
- Beau White - "Big Toe" - oil on board
- Beau White - "Not A Robot" - oil on board
- Beau White - 'Lest We Spaghett' - oil on canvas
- Beau White - 'Time Does Pass' - oil on board
- Beau White - 'Clump' - oil on canvas
- Beau White - 'Pop!' - oil on board
- Lix North - "Gilt" - oil on aluminium
- Brian Mashburn - 'African Elephant' - oil on basswood
- Brian Mashburn - 'Asian Elephant' - oil on basswood
- Brian Mashburn - 'Tamarin' - oil on basswood
- Brian Mashburn - 'Green Budgie' - oil on basswood
- Brian Mashburn - 'Blue Budgie' - oil on basswood
- Brian Mashburn - 'Ficus with Cat' - oil on panel
- Brian Mashburn - 'Monkey Tree' - oil on canvas
- Brian Mashburn - "Somniferum" - oil on panel
- Kazuhiro Hori - "Reflection" - acrylic on canvas
- Kazuhiro Hori - 'Strawberry' - acrylic on canvas
- Kazuhiro Hori - 'Imitation' - acrylic on canvas
- Kazuhiro Hori - 'Rumor' - acrylic on canvas
- Kazuhiro Hori - 'Artificial Life' - acrylic on canvas
- Kazuhiro Hori - 'Whisper' - acrylic on canvas
- Kazuhiro Hori - 'Mirror, Mirror' - acrylic on canvas
- Michael Kennedy - 'The Inquisitive Nature of All Things Melvin' - oil on canvas
- Michael Kennedy - 'Don't Mess With Greg!' - oil on canvas
- Michael Kennedy - 'A Moment of Zen' - oil on linen
- Michael Kennedy - 'Not Now Darcy!' - oil on canvas
- Michael Kennedy - 'Grumble Bob & Doodle Dave' - oil on linen
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'As From Below' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Blackhouse' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Lamping Witches' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Untitled Sticky Monster 10' - pen and ink on yellow pad paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Untitled Sticky Monster 8' - pen and ink on yellow pad paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Untitled Sticky Monster 7' - pen and ink on yellow pad paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Untitled Sticky Monster 4' - pen and ink on yellow pad paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Skycreep' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Up Up Up' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Fur, Horns and Teeth' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Flight of the Beholders' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Dead Pegasus' - pen and ink on paper
- John Kenn Mortensen - 'Crazy Clowntime' - pen and ink on paper
- Ed Binkley - "Goblin Incognito, New Haircut" - coloured pencil and white charcoal on toned paper
- Ed Binkley - "Sorcerer" - coloured pencil and white charcoal on toned paper
- Ed Binkley - "Goblin Incognito, Whiskers" - colored pencil and white charcoal on toned paper
- Ed Binkley - "Vicar, Bad Hair-Day" - colored pencil and white charcoal on toned paper
- Ed Binkley - "Prophecy Veil"- colored pencil and white charcoal on toned paper
- Ed Binkley - "Werewolf Incognito, Formal Attire" - colored pencil and white charcoal on toned paper
- John Walker - "Boney Bunny From the Heart" - acrylic on panel
- John Walker - "Midnight Musicologists" - acrylic on panel
- John Walker - "Odd Travelers - A Question of Balance" - acrylic on panel
- John Walker - "Hearts Desires" - acrylic on panel
- John Walker - "Gwendolyn and the Very Special Tea" - acrylic on panel
- John Walker - "Tall Tales Told" - acrylic on panel
- John Walker - "The Sorcerer's Hat" - acrylic on panel
- John Walker - "The Squonk Hunter" - acrylic on panel
- Alexia Novella - 'Distant Shores' - oil on panel
- Alexia Novella - 'Alfred' - oil on panel
- Alexia Novella - "Unnatural" - oil on panel
- Alexia Novella - 'Fairy' - oil on panel
- Alexia Novella - 'Cabaret' - oil on panel
- Alexia Novella - 'Be Here Now' - oil on panel
- Emma Black - 'The Time Before' - oil on board
- Emma Black - "Eulogy" - oil on cradled wood
- Emma Black - 'What Have You Become' - oil on cradled wood panel
- Emma Black - 'A Night Like This' - oil on board
- Emma Black - "Chrysalis" - polymer clay and oil paint on vinyl Toddlerpillar
- Richard Ahnert - "Free Stride" - oil on canvas
- Richard Ahnert - "Long Story Short" - oil on canvas
- Shaun Tan - Royal Commission (2018) - coloured pencil and ballpoint pen on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Foundling" - pastel and charcoal on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Orca" - oil on canvas
- Shaun Tan - "A Day in the Life" - coloured pencil and pen on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Bluebell" - oil on canvas
- Shaun Tan - "Crow Train" (2017) - pencil on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Enemies (after Goya)" - pastel and charcoal on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Factory Workers" - acrylic, oil and paper collage on canvas
- Shaun Tan - 'Love' - oil on canvas
- Shaun Tan - "Head: Nocturne" (2012) - oil on board
- Shaun Tan - "Head: Tomb" (2016) - pastel on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Jacaranda" - acrylic, oil and paper collage on canvas
- Shaun Tan - "Lungfish" - plaster, acrylic and wax - limited edition of 20.
- Shaun Tan - "On My Way to Paradise" - acrylic and oil on canvas
- Shaun Tan - "Preparations" - pastel on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Amorous Dial Duck" - pencil on paper
- Shaun Tan - "The Farm" - pen, pencil, acrylic and collage on paper
- Shaun Tan - "Soothsayer" - pen and coloured pencil on paper
- Shaun Tan - 'The Bicycle Thief' - watercolour, coloured pencil and pen on paper
- Shaun Tan - 'Bedroom Drawings' - pencil on paper
- Shaun Tan - 'Red Tree Bloom Drawings' - pencil on paper
- Shaun Tan - 'Concept sketch for 'The World is a Machine'' - pencil on paper
- Shaun Tan - 'Concept Sketch for 'Mad City'' - pencil on paper
- Shaun Tan - ''Mad City' Colour Study' - oil on cardboard