Alexander Brewington. What Burns Beneath

About

What Burns Beneath sympathetically captures the intricate contours of growing into early adult- hood amidst New York City’s tumultuous terrain. As Alexander Brewington astutely recognizes, newcomers must grapple with urban isolation and anonymity, survivable only through the cultiva- tion of a resilient and self-assured identity. Each painting becomes a testament to the challenges inherent in forging one's path—a turbulent quest that seeks answers, solutions, and stability. These works echo a nuanced dance between self-expression and societal expectations, arranging explosive strokes, vivid colors, and mesmerizing compositions that seamlessly mirror the pulsating rhythm of the city.

Brewington deploys color and perspective to capture the essence of each of his subjects. “Point of Ignition, 2024” is an invigorated tableau of a man lighting a cigarette beneath a raised train platform. His bright shirt and face are illuminated by the flickering flame of his lighter, cradled in his hands. Behind him, car headlights cast a luminous haze onto a crosswalk where pedestrians traverse. To the left of the panel stands a despondent woman, mirroring the viewer as she stares at the man before her. This poignant composition depicts a raw moment of contemporary life for young New Yorkers while exploring the nuances of portraiture against an urban backdrop.

Brewington's exuberant brushwork echoes the emotional cadence embedded within his paintings. In “Flambé, 2024,” unbridled strokes dance freely across the painting, whimsically portraying a scene of two men sharing a drink on the sidewalk. Their infectious smiles shine amidst swaths of yellow and orange, which lick off of their clothing and drinks like flames. The lively, bursting strokes vividly capture the animated energy between the two men, while the flames set the landscape ablaze, dif- fusing this hard-earned moment of bliss into the dark urban landscape.

Brewington, with profound reflection, contemplates the perplexing era of young adulthood and pays homage to the valor required to endure such a stage of life within the crucible of New York. Speaking about his new body of work, Brewington suggests that “resilience is needed to overcome struggles, fueling an internal flame that gradually rises to the surface.” This notion is evident in this poignant series of portraits, each a testament to the courage and fortitude essential in navigating the com- plexities of identity and growth.