Brad Nelson

OPEN LOOK  /  August 2020

OPEN LOOK brings together fifteen close observations of objects that have surrounded me during the past few months as the stay-at-home order took effect in mid-March. The title of the show is meant to reflect an unbiased, non-hierarchical pursuit of subject matter in which objects commonly thought of as “throw aways” are explored for their potential and capacity to become still life paintings; it is also a personal reminder about the openness required to see objects anew without a predetermined idea of importance. In a more expanded connection to the phrase, “open look” can also denote an open shot on a basketball court; an unimpeded and unrushed view of the task at hand. These paintings are artifacts of the moments in which the living/teaching/parenting expectations of the past few months parted, and an open look at these simple objects became possible. - Brad Nelson