Brent Harris

Brent Harris’ paintings and works on paper are brooding, dripping swamplands delineated in the most meticulous way.  Stark planes, often black and white, belie the swooping organic gestures and expressionist shapes.

“Many of his forms vibrate, rise and fall, and cause the viewer’s eye much exercise in following them”, noted James Mollison in Art and Australia.

But what surprises most is the sensuality of the work; as though the sharp lines and immaculate surfaces can barely contain the emotions brooding beneath.  This is the Unconscious confronted by a taut, graphic sensibility.

Download the Monkey Business (2022) catalogue essay by Helen Hughes.

Click to download a Q&A between Jane Devery and Brent Harris published August 2021 about The Stations project.

Installation view, ‘Monkey Business’ 27 August – 22 September 2022
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #13’ 2022 oil on linen 75 x 60 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #11 (lamp’ 2022 oil on linen 75 x 60 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #8 (the walk with SH)’ 2022 oil on linen 75 x 60 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #12 (the lamp)’ 2022 oil on linen 198 x 147 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #6 (the walk)’ 2022 oil on linen 75 x 60 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #6 (the walk)’ 2022 oil on linen 75 x 60 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022 (side view)
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #7 (the walk)’ 2022 oil on linen 92 x 73 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022
Installation view, ‘Monkey Business’ 27 August – 22 September 2022
Brent Harris, ‘monkey business #16 (inside)’ 2022 oil on linen 92 x 73 cm. From the exhibition ‘Monkey Business’, 27 August – 22 September 2022