Charles Brenna

Artist Statement

My recent abstract work is the result of disparate influences including African Kuba cloth patterns, Joan Mitchell, Richard Diebenkorn, and classical jazz music. Using multiple layers of patterns, masking areas and overlaying contrasting gestures and shapes gives the pieces rhythym, depth and creates an atmosphere that is at once both chaotic and soothing. I think of these varied components as complex pieces of music, where a listener can focus on isolating an instrument, like the bass, keyboard or drums and follow that through the piece to learn how the pattern interact with other parts.