Zoonotic Tonic
New work available Fresen + Lantz Fine Art
Click here for catalouge essay by Peter Frank
Zoonotic: A zoonosis (zoonotic disease or zoonoses) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or from humans to animals). Covid-19 is believed to be a zoonotic disease.
Tonic: an agent (such as a drug) that increases body tone; one that invigorates or refreshes; a carbonated flavored beverage.
Whatever your “tonic” may be or has been (wine, the vaccine, both?) during the current “zoonotic” pandemic, this series explores being human in the age of biotechnology.
Brownell’s work focuses on primal questions about food--from how it is grown to how it functions as a signifier in society with a particular focus on scientific invention. If we are what we eat, then we can look to our food, how it is processed, shared, and consumed, for clues about ourselves, and what we may become. Suspect food markets that may start zoonotic pandemics, drug and vaccine development, and new research into bio-hacking photosynthesis in leaves, to name a few, are recent considerations in Brownell’s investigation to reexamine and re-envision the traditions of the painted food still life as a faithful representation of nature.
In this new series, Brownell adds leaves to her vocabulary of spiraling, clusters of organic food matter to inspire a new color palate and point symbolically to the notion of transition. As our society moves from one form to another, and not only the shape that contends with a global pandemic, this series celebrates our collective mutation
Zoonotic Tonic 2020 - present
New work available Fresen + Lantz Fine Art
Click here for catalouge essay by Peter Frank
Zoonotic: A zoonosis (zoonotic disease or zoonoses) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species from animals to humans (or from humans to animals). Covid-19 is believed to be a zoonotic disease.
Tonic: an agent (such as a drug) that increases body tone; one that invigorates or refreshes; a carbonated flavored beverage.
Whatever your “tonic” may be or has been (wine, the vaccine, both?) during the current “zoonotic” pandemic, this series explores being human in the age of biotechnology.
Brownell’s work focuses on primal questions about food--from how it is grown to how it functions as a signifier in society with a particular focus on scientific invention. If we are what we eat, then we can look to our food, how it is processed, shared, and consumed, for clues about ourselves, and what we may become. Suspect food markets that may start zoonotic pandemics, drug and vaccine development, and new research into bio-hacking photosynthesis in leaves, to name a few, are recent considerations in Brownell’s investigation to reexamine and re-envision the traditions of the painted food still life as a faithful representation of nature.
In this new series, Brownell adds leaves to her vocabulary of spiraling, clusters of organic food matter to inspire a new color palate and point symbolically to the notion of transition. As our society moves from one form to another, and not only the shape that contends with a global pandemic, this series celebrates our collective mutation
Click for 2018 essay by Gil Scullion
In this new series Plate to Platelets: and other things that travel and bind I simultaneously draw on scientific images of platelets (tiny blood cells shaped like plates) and the history of the painted food still life. My inspirations focus on the 17th century still life tradition of plates being painted on the precipice of a table’s edge (often looking like they are about to fall) and how platelets rush to the site of damage to repair. I fantasize about what the cultural/social equivalents to platelets could be, as well as, other things that travel and bind in and outside of our bodies.
Plate to Platelets 2016 - 2019
In this new series Plate to Platelets: and other things that travel and bind I simultaneously draw on scientific images of platelets (tiny blood cells shaped like plates) and the history of the painted food still life. My inspirations focus on the 17th century still life tradition of plates being painted on the precipice of a table’s edge (often looking like they are about to fall) and how platelets rush to the site of damage to repair. I fantasize about what the cultural/social equivalents to platelets could be, as well as, other things that travel and bind in and outside of our bodies.
Plate to Platelets 2016 - 2019
Delightful, Delicious, Disgusting 2011-2015
Links to reviews of this series are in the 'Press' section. Including Artnet Magazine, Village Voice and Hi-Fructose.
Stomach Acid Dreams 2009 - 2010
Stomach Acid Dreams 2009 - 2010
Adventures of a Reluctant Omnivore
2006–2008
2006–2008
Complexities of the Garden
2005-2006
2005-2006
Zymotic Tonic 2001-2004, Stomach Acid Dream 1998-2000, Internal Icons 1993-1997
A sample of work from various series - To inquire about paintings please visit 'contact' section.
Meat & G(l)aze:
Ongoing series
Ongoing series
The Birds & The Bees:
Ongoing series
Ongoing series
