The Contemporary Art Modern Project presents Between Stillness and Growth, a solo exhibition showcasing the work of artist Jan Brandt, running from March 7 - April 4. Occupying the gallery’s incubator space, Brandt’s work explores the tension between bloom and decay, inviting viewers to reflect on life’s unpredictable cycles of movement and stagnation.
Brandt’s Hothouse series shifts fluidly from representation to abstraction, as repeated elements unfold into patterns. She infuses her work with a playful, and deeply evocative materiality, through materials such as puffy paint and glitter, creating a dynamic tension where organic forms pulse with life while holding quiet interruptions. Through these textures, Brandt conjures a sense of nostalgia, tapping into child-like wonder and the joy of making while challenging the hierarchy of materials within contemporary art.
In this exhibition, vibrant, maximalist compositions generate a sense of kinetic energy, counterpoised by moments of stillness—pauses in mark-making. By returning to the simplicity of life’s cyclical patterns, Brandt’s works create a space for quiet reflection, offering the viewer comfort in rhythmic repetition. The pauses allow the eyes to rest before drawing them back into the work's unfolding dynamic, reflecting a surrealist life cycle where chaos and calm coexist and invite viewers to slow down, and immerse themselves in the process.
In this exhibition, vibrant, maximalist compositions generate a sense of kinetic energy, counterpoised by moments of stillness—pauses in mark-making. By returning to the simplicity of life’s cyclical patterns, Brandt’s works create a space for quiet reflection, offering the viewer comfort in rhythmic repetition. The pauses allow the eyes to rest before drawing them back into the work's unfolding dynamic, reflecting a surrealist life cycle where chaos and calm coexist and invite viewers to slow down, and immerse themselves in the process.
Between Stillness and Growth suggests we embrace the tension before expansion—transition. It also encourages reflection on how this interplay of texture, color, and form evokes feelings of connection, nostalgia, and self-reflection, guiding us through both the turbulence and serenity of the human experience.
Statement and curation by Amy Arechavaleta
