iRuder_04 Brendan Monroe

Brendan Monroe is a painter and sculptor working today. Base out of Oakland, California, Monroe primarily paints and sculpts for exhibitions. Thematically Monroe likes to explore his interpretations of the world, which he describes as being rooted in science and then executed through painting and sculpting.

Enclosed String (2012)

6.5 x 20 x 20 in, cherry veneer

Waver (2012)

14 x 12 x 7 in, walnut

Into a Tempest Thrown (2009)

various hardwoods, acrylic and fishing line

Observer [Sitting] (2009)

24 x 12 x 9 in, padauk wood, solid

Misunderstanding of Gravity

6.75 x 7 x 2.75 in, polymer clay

Are We Really Here?

12.5 x 3.5 x 2 in and 11 x 3 x 2 in, wire, foil and acrylic (paint scrapings)

Monroe's work is interesting because of its play on perception. The wooden pieces are beautiful designed and carved and appear incredibly smooth. The manipulation of the wood seems fluid and full of motion, something usually not seen in such an unmoving medium. Monroe also shows his skill with clay and mixed media in his portfolio (though oddly enough did not date these works). Monroe has an interesting body of work that directly relates to his paintings, which parallel his sculpture exactly.

More of Brendan Monroe's work can be seen on his website - brendanmonroe.com.