True Value: The Works of Brookie Maxwell (1956- 2015)

About

 This exhibition, which marks the fourth time Maxwell’s work has been exhibited at A.I.R. Gallery, is a tribute to the late artist and activist who strived to craft a narrative in her artwork that acted as a “voice for the voiceless.” Brookie Maxwell graduated from The School of Visual Arts in 1977 where she formed a lifelong mentorship with renowned graphic designer, Milton Glaser. Classically trained in Renaissance techniques, Maxwell developed a special affinity for Leonardo Da Vinci’s technique of sfumato, which translates as “appearing out of the smoke”. Her significant body of work including graphic design, sculpture and fine art has been exhibited worldwide, as well as at Gallery 138, a venue she opened in 1999. This show is the first in a series of retrospectives designed to bring greater awareness of Brookie Maxwell’s contributions to the art world. Maxwell, who died of ovarian cancer in 2015, believed that everyone has a story worth telling and that art can be used to heal. She elevated the stories of everyday people with images of the joys and tribulations of family, home, traditions and events that shape us all. This exhibition is a celebration of a lifetime of “telling.”