Brock Saunders, Valentina

May 17 - June 21, 2024

One Grand Gallery is pleased to present Valentina, a new collection of airbrushed works by painter Brock Saunders. Pulling inspiration from an archive of personal and sourced imagery, this series sheds light on the signifiers of loss and how some of these reminders can take on new life over time. Saunders channels a deep grief through painting as a means to process the passing of his and his partner's beloved companion and dog, Valentina.

When the crows stop coming to the yard and the rats return, you begin to recognize the nature of consequence following the butterfly effect. The echoes of the loss of something that was once attached to your hip. The paintings on display amplify these simple moments recounted by Saunders, and create intrigue in recontextualizing digital images as works on canvas. Objects, such as the bath in “Cool Tile”, or the chewed dog’s bone in “Bone”, create intrigue and are raised on a pedestal within the context of the exhibition and the artist’s memory. No stencils and no true lines attribute a dreamy, out of focus feel to the canvases, further blurring the lines between photo and painting. As the methodology of creating these paintings, the subjects that were once solemn reminders of loss have transformed into warm reminiscences and a memorialization of the time spent with Valentina.

Brock Saunders (b. Virginia, 1996) is a contemporary multidisciplinary artist based in Portland, Oregon known for his satirical approach to art that blends pop culture with moments of stillness and intimacy. Saunders uses the airbrush to subvert and recontextualize viral imagery, creating new visual narratives that challenge our perceptions. His work often contrasts the digital and the organic, inviting viewers to reflect on what their relationship to media consumption is.

This exhibition is a joint event coinciding with a vinyl record release and listening party for “GOOSE” by Crusty Cuts, featuring cover artwork by Saunders, and supporting merchandise.



@brocksaunders.cap
brocksaunders.com

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