Glenn Brown

Published in 1996 in conjunction with an exhibition at the Jerwood Gallery, this volume serves as an early retrospective of the British artist Glenn Brown. During this period, Brown was establishing himself as a significant voice in contemporary painting, known for his unique practice of reinterpreting historical masterpieces by artists like Frank Auerbach and Salvador Dalí. By applying thick, swirling, and often trompe l'oeil brushwork to scenes that appear flat or grotesque, he challenged traditional notions of authorship and materiality in painting.

The publication was designed to provide critical context for his complex visual language, which often blurred the lines between high art and science fiction illustration. Throughout the 1990s, Brown’s work was met with intense debate regarding the nature of appropriation and original expression. This book captures that transitional moment in his career, documenting how his meticulous technique turned canonical art history into something fluid, unsettling, and distinctly modern.