carolyn brann
statement
Born in Connecticut, USA, I currently live between Berlin, Germany and La Jolla, California. Mostly self-taught, I began abstract painting twelve years ago after a career in entertainment finance for music companies. Simultaneously, I began a daily spiritual practice of meditation and kundalini yoga. My spiritual interests were borne out of 12-step recovery (Al-Anon) after leaving an alcoholic marriage. That spirituality has led me down all kinds of paths towards breathwork, somatic movement, yoga, and regular meditation. These practices appear in my work via bold marks, repetitive circular patterns, stained segments, and lots of (imitation) gold leaf. My influences include the natural world, architectural shapes and patterns, and visions that occur in my meditations. I strive to create accessible work that ignites imagination and curiosity.
about
Carolyn Brann is known for her gestural abstractions full of color, texture and metal leaf. She combines active application of raw color and creative geometric dot patterning that take the viewer on a meditative journey across the canvas.
Brann often starts a piece with a particular direction in mind, but the process of creation produces a completely different outcome from her original intention. Many of her works are influenced by her daily Vedic meditation and kundalini practices. While in meditation, visions of color and shapes enter her mind - these are often derived from memories of objects from the natural world or pure visions of visual stimulation. The repetitive circular patterns are in themselves meditative, much like an unplanned thought series, the patterns are asymmetrical, unbalanced and meandering. Vibrant gold and other metal leaf appear as pops of unmistakable positivity, strength, and interruptions from darkness.
Brann lived and worked in La Jolla, California until August 2020 where she supplemented her practice by working with local artist, Nasser Pirasteh. She now splits time between Berlin, Germany and La Jolla and continues to add to her body of work. She has been participating in shows since 2013 in southern California, Europe, and Asia.
exhibitions
November 2024 - BcmA, Klein Aber Fein, Pop-Up Market, Berlin, Germany
November 2024 - New & Abstract Contemporary Art, Group Show #4, Honorable Mention, online
May 2024 - Harvest Community, Ideas of Spring, online
March 2024 - LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, “Rebirth” solo show, Berlin, Germany
December 2023 - LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, 2023 Year End Exhibition, Berlin, Germany
November 2023 - NoArtNoHome, Anomalie Art Club, Berlin, Germany
September 2023 -LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, BERLIN ART WOW, Berlin, Germany
July 2023 - Neo.Fashion, Berlin Fashion Week, Berlin, Germany
April 2023 - LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, Spring Group Exhibition, Berlin, Germany
April 2023 - The Ballery, The Blue Room, Berlin, Germany
March 2023 - LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, Spring 2023 Group Exhibition, Berlin, Germany
February 2023 - Chromart Project Space, Shadows, Berlin, Germany
January 2023 - LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, ROUND + ROUND, Berlin, Germany
December 2022 - LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, 2022 Year End Exhibition, Berlin, Germany
October 2022 - LiTE-HAUS galerie + projektraum, Die Farbe & Gray Area, Berlin, Germany
August 2022 - coGalleries, “Love Letter to Berlin” solo show, Berlin, Germany
May 2022 - Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, Small Time, Los Angeles, CA
April 2022 – The 21st Japan International Art Exchange Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan
December 2021 – Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, AURORA
November 2021 – coGalleries Residency, Berlin, Germany
July 2021 – Copeland Gallery, Every Women Biennial 2021 - My Love Is Your Love, London, England
June 2021 – La Fenice Art Gallery, Covid Era Masterpieces 3, Hong Kong, China
May 2021 – ArtEuropa, Percorsi D’Acqua (Water Paths), traveling exhibition, Teora, Italy
March 2021 – Atelier Montez, be**pART, Rome, Italy
November 2020 – Ristorante Lagalante, Berlin, Germany
September 2020 – Las Laguna Gallery, The 2nd Half - 50 and Over: Group Exhibition
August 2020 – Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, Annual Benefit Auction
August 2020 – Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, HABITUAL
July 2020 – Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, indistinct chatter
July 2020 – Mike Hess Brewing, Quarantine Creations
May 2020 – Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, Petite Works
January 2020 - Mike Hess Brewing, Down With Downtown
December 2019 – Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825, 2019 Open Show
September 2019 – KAABOO Music Festival, Del Mar, CA
August 2019 – Los Angeles Art Association, Annual Benefit Auction
July 2019 – Artist Residency, kleindorf-ART, Strodehne, Germany
March 2019 – Helia Brewing Company, Vista, CA
February 2019 – Superfine! Art Fair, Los Angeles, CA
December 2018 – Fallen Tree Exhibitions, Hotels/Motels (Unofficial Art Fair 2018), The Lafayette Hotel, San Diego, CA
November 2018 – San Diego Art Institute, C-Note Pop Up, San Diego, CA
October 2018 – Buddhi Yoga, La Jolla, CA
September 2018 – Philz Coffee, Encinitas, CA
August 2018 – February 2019 – Emmes Realty, 1 Columbia Place/2 Columbia Place, San Diego, CA
April 2018 – August 2018 – La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla, CA
December 2017 – February 2018 - Philz Coffee, La Jolla, CA
July 2017 – Philz Coffee, Encinitas, CA
June 2017 – San Diego County Fair, Juried Exhibition, San Diego, CA
December 2016 – January 2017 – San Diego Art Institute, 2016 Southern California/Baja Biennial, San Diego, CA
February 2016 – The Front Arte Cultura, Dia de la Mujer, San Diego, CA
December 2015 – SDSU Art Club, San Diego, CA
January 2015 – Pannikin Coffee & Tea, La Jolla, CA
December 2013 – Pannikin Coffee & Tea, La Jolla, CA
education
2020, Museum Studies/Gallery Exhibition Skills I & II, Mesa College
2020, Artist/Mother Podcast Critique Group
2013-2020, Private Instruction, Nasser Pirasteh
1998-1999, Santa Monica College – Introduction to Watercolor, Intermediate Watercolor