Brian Alfred Explores the Intersection of Beauty and Technology in Contemporary Art

PHOTO: Brian Alfred in his Brooklyn studio, amidst the vibrant creations that define his captivating exploration of duality and global themes.

A Journey Through Duality, Globalism, and Artistic Expression

Brian Alfred discusses his evolution as an artist, exploring influences from Pittsburgh, transitioning mediums, and balancing beauty with ominous themes while engaging in global conversations through art and podcasting.

Brian Alfred stands as a luminary in the world of contemporary art, seamlessly merging the realms of visual creation, audio exploration, education, and curation. Based in the vibrant landscape of Brooklyn, Brian has spent the past two decades showcasing his innovative works across the globe, earning esteemed accolades such as the American Academy of Arts and Letters Purchase Award, the NYFA Inspiration Award, and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant. With an impressive academic background as an alumnus of Yale, Skowhegan, and Penn State, Brian’s influence extends to the halls of prestigious institutions including the Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum. His multifaceted approach to art is further enriched by his role as the host of the renowned SOUND & VISION podcast, where he delves into the depths of creativity with other visual arts professionals.

In our exclusive interview, Brian reveals how his upbringing in the industrial city of Pittsburgh etched a profound influence on his visual language and artistic psyche. The juxtaposition of Pittsburgh’s blue-collar essence and its inherent grit provides a foundational aesthetic that reverberates throughout his work. Transitioning from oils to acrylics during his undergraduate studies, Brian embraced the realms of flat color, collage, and digital media, crafting a unique artistic voice that resonates with elegance and introspection.

His work masterfully balances the allure of beauty with the shadow of technological decay, embodying a dialogue between polished aesthetics and unsettling undertones. This duality captivates the viewer, inviting them to explore the contrasts inherent in modern existence. As an artist inspired by myriad influences—ranging from fine art and design to video games and cartoons—Brian’s canvas becomes a vibrant tapestry reflecting the diverse and dynamic world we inhabit.

Through his acclaimed podcast, SOUND & VISION, Brian transcends traditional boundaries, drawing inspiration from conversations with fellow artists that subtly inform and enhance his artistic journey. As an interpreter of globalism, urban landscapes, and technological narratives, Brian Alfred’s art transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, inviting audiences worldwide to engage with shared experiences and environmental discourse. His vision of art as a universal language underscores his mission: to foster empathy and understanding across the global landscape, inviting us all to connect with the art and the world that surrounds us.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, how did the city’s environment shape the themes and visual language in your work?

Pittsburgh is a grey city for the most part and I think the industrial feel influenced my intuitive color palette. I have pushed from that at times, but at the core, my aesthetic sensibilities feel like home to me.  I think the blue-collar sensibility of the city is also engrained in me.

What inspired your transition to a flat-color style, and how did tools like collage and digital media play a role in its development?

When I was in undergraduate school, I transitioned to acrylics from oil due to the solvent fumes and drying time of oil. At the same time, I was interested in number systems and geometric abstraction. It was the perfect storm for me to explore the different ways I could use flatness and thin layers in water media. After time, these approaches melded with my reintroduction of representational imagery. When I got out of school, I started using Photoshop and Illustrator in the sketching phase of my work. This and working in collage became instrumental in my building approach to image making.

Many of your works blend a polished aesthetic with unsettling themes of technology and decay. How do you balance beauty and ominous undertones in your compositions?

I have always been interested in duality. One of the most consistent examples of this in my work is the duality of beauty and danger. An image that pulls you in aesthetically, but the insinuating looming air of caution or an impending event can subvert that veneer. I love this in music as well. The song may sound beautiful, but the lyrics tell another story. Comics, graphic novels and anime are other examples of mediums that use this dynamic. It’s something that resonates with my view of the world.

 Your influences span fine art, design, and popular media like video games and cartoons. How do these diverse elements come together in your work?

I want my work to be about our world, and all the many aspects of it. I try to stay open and let things I experience and look at enter my visual mind. I’m not exactly sure the recipe of these ingredients in my work, but they all find their way in. Visually, I think you can see them, but it’s not entirely conscious in my mind or hand in the work. One nice aspect of making art for over 25 years is that things sort of organically bubble up to the surface in the work. One not so nice aspect of working that long is stiff joints in the hands.

As the host of “Sound & Vision”, where you discuss creativity with other artists, what insights have impacted your own artistic approach?

I really see my work as an extension of my life and while the podcast might not directly impact say the direct images or way I’m making my work, I do think the insights I have gleaned over these past 9 years of interviewing artists, have really informed my mind as an artist. I do really appreciate the gift of being able to dedicate my life to art and artmaking and I think the conversations only deepen that commitment.

With your works displayed in global collections, how do you hope international audiences interpret and connect with the urban and technological themes in your art?

My work has always been interested in globalism, other cultures and places. I have been lucky enough to travel all over the world and it always comes into the work one way or another. The thing I love about the language of art is that it exists outside of verbal language. In showing the work internationally, I hope that the work can create a feeling of shared experience with other audiences and pull people together in their appreciation for art and negotiating our environment as a global population. The real gift of art is communication, and I believe the more we break down language barriers and communicate across borders, the more empathy and understanding we have for others and that’s a good thing.