Glenn Brown (survey): Des Moines Art Center, Iowa

This work represents another vein of sculptural work by Brown where the armature is not only visible, but a physical artwork by another artist. In the case of Nymph de Bois this “skeleton” is a 19th century bronze statuette that was widely reproduced in its time and not overly valuable. And while no formal credit is given to the artist of this bronze, Brown is careful to note that he would not cover the entire work with paint and completely obscure the reference. In this case, a winged female is sheathed with thick swatches of oil paint to the point she begins to resemble a tree with autumnal foliage.

– Steven Matijcio, Curator, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, USA